Trump recognises Laken Riley’s family, celebrates legislation passed in her name

United States President Donald Trump recognised Laken Riley’s family and vowed to ensure that no other family suffers a loss like this as he delivered his first address to the Congress since returning to office on January 20.

Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia student, was killed last year while out for a run. An undocumented migrant from Venezuela was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life without parole.

“Laken was stolen from us by a savage illegal alien gang member who was arrested while trespassing across (former President Joe) Biden’s open southern border and then set loose into the United States under the heartless policies of that failed administration,” Trump said during his address.

“America will never ever forget our beautiful Laken,” Trump said.

Trump had brought Laken Riley Act shortly after returning to office. It requires detention of undocumented migrants charged with certain crimes. He called the legislation “a very strong, powerful act.”

Family members of the Georgia nursing student attended the 47th president’s first joint Congressional address on Tuesday night.

Laken Riley’s mother Allyson and sister Lauren Phillips attended Donald Trump’s first speech to Congress on Wednesday. Riley was a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was killed more than a year ago by Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan immigrant who was in the US illegally.