At a Glance
- Laken Riley, 22, was murdered while jogging on the University of Georgia campus in February 2024
- Jose Ibarra, an undocumented Venezuelan migrant, was convicted and sentenced to life without parole
- The Laken Riley Act mandates federal detention of undocumented immigrants arrested for theft or burglary
- President Trump signed the bill in January 2025 as his first act of the new administration
Why it matters: The law redefines immigration enforcement and sparks debate over using personal tragedy for policy change.
Laken Riley’s morning run on February 22, 2024 ended in tragedy when the 22-year-old nursing student was killed on the University of Georgia campus. Her death ignited a national immigration debate and led to the January 2025 signing of the Laken Riley Act, the first legislation of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Who Was Laken Riley
Riley was born on January 10, 2002, in Marietta, Georgia. She graduated from River Ridge High School in 2020, where she ran cross country and was praised by Cherokee County Superintendent Brian Hightower as an “outstanding scholar athlete.” After transferring from the University of Georgia, she studied nursing at Augusta University, which called her a “promising future nurse.”
Bianca Tiller, her freshman roommate, told The New York Times that Riley “lit up every room she walked into.” Pastor Samer Massad of Woodstock City Church said she was “a gift to anyone who knew her.”
The Final Run
At 8:55 a.m., Riley texted her mother, Allyson Phillips: “Good morning, about to go for a run if you’re free to talk.” She called at 9:03 a.m., then listened to music as trail cameras filmed her jogging. At 9:11 a.m., she dialed 911; the call disconnected and two callbacks went unanswered.
When Riley failed to return, her roommates searched the trail and reported her missing at 12:05 p.m. Within 30 minutes, police found her body 65 feet off the path, behind a lake. She had blunt-force trauma to the head and visible injuries.
Who Is Jose Ibarra
Jose Ibarra, 26, unlawfully entered the U.S. from Venezuela in 2022. Border Patrol arrested him but released him with temporary permission to stay. He first lived in a New York City hotel converted to a migrant shelter, then moved to Athens, Georgia, in September 2023 after his brother promised work.
Ibarra had prior arrests:
- September 2023: driving a scooter without a license and with an un-helmeted child in New York City
- October 2023: shoplifting in Athens-Clarke County
Both times he was released.
Arrest and Trial
A jacket bearing both Riley’s and Ibarra’s blood and Riley’s hair was found in a dumpster one mile from the crime scene. Security video showed a man-identified by Ibarra’s roommate-discarding it at 9:44 a.m. on the day of the murder. Ibarra had scratches on his arms, palm bruising, and knuckle abrasions. His DNA was found under Riley’s fingernails.
Ibarra was arrested on February 23, 2024, and charged with:
- Malice murder
- Felony murder
- Aggravated battery
- Aggravated assault
- False imprisonment
- Kidnapping
- Hindering a 911 call
- Concealing the death of another
He waived a jury trial. On November 20, 2024, Judge Haggard convicted him on all counts and sentenced him to life without parole.
Allyson Phillips addressed Ibarra in court: “Jose took no pity on my scared, panicked and struggling child… There’s no end to the pain.”
Political Aftermath
Riley’s murder became a rallying point for stricter immigration policies. President Trump repeatedly cited the case during his 2024 campaign. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene also blamed border policies.
During President Biden’s March 2024 State of the Union, Greene shouted, “Say her name,” prompting Biden to reference “an innocent woman who was killed by an illegal.”
While Riley’s mother thanked Trump for remembering her daughter, father Jason Riley told NBC News he disliked the politicization: “She was much better than that… It makes me angry.”
The Laken Riley Act
On January 29, 2025, Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, his first bill of the new administration. The law:
- Mandates federal detention of undocumented immigrants arrested for burglary or theft
- Allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government for harm linked to immigration-law violations
Critics cite a 2024 National Institute of Justice study showing undocumented migrants are arrested for violent and drug crimes at less than half the rate of native-born citizens.
Key Takeaways
- Laken Riley’s life was cut short during a routine jog, leading to swift legal consequences for her killer
- The case amplified ongoing debates over immigration enforcement and border security
- The resulting legislation marks a significant shift in federal detention policy, ensuring any undocumented immigrant charged with theft-related offenses must be held in custody
