GOP-Led House Passes Laken Riley Act in Definitive Step to Crack Down on Illegal Immigration

The House of Representatives passed its first piece of legislation Tuesday, taking steps to tighten border policies and give "authorities the tools to prevent tragedies" like the case of a Georgia college student who was slain last year at the hands of an illegal immigrant. 

The Laken Riley Act honors the life of the 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University who was murdered while jogging around the University of Georgia campus.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was convicted of murder and other crimes in Riley's February death. He was sentenced to life in prison. 

Ibarra's status as an illegal immigrant ignited a political debate about America's southern border crisis after authorities confirmed the Venezuelan national entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 near El Paso, Texas.