Laken Riley was a 22-year-old University of Georgia nursing student who was
murdered in February 2024. Her death sparked significant political debate and the passing of the Laken Riley Act, a law mandating the detention of certain non-citizens arrested for specific crimes. The act is named in her honor.
Laken Riley's Murder and the Act's Origin:
Laken Riley was killed while jogging on the University of Georgia campus.
Her killer, Jose Ibarra, an
illegal immigrant, was subsequently convicted of her murder.
Riley's death became a focal point for discussions about crime, immigration, and the need for stricter immigration enforcement.
The Laken Riley Act was passed in response, aiming to address the issue of illegal immigrants committing crimes.