Law Enforcement Uses Laken Riley Act for First Time to Deport Undocumented Migrant
The Laken Riley Act was used for the first time by law enforcement in Indiana, to deport an undocumented migrant.
In the case, a prosecutor in Jackson County, Indiana, used the new law to send a migrant back to Guatemala, after he hit and killed 27-year-old Brad Castner in a head-on car crash. Prosecutors say Domingo Juan Juan crossed the center line of a highway, causing the fatal incident.
Under Indiana law, the only charge available was operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license, since Juan Juan was not speeding or under the influence at the time of the crash.
However, prosecutors were able to use the Laken Riley Act, since it allows for the deportation of “illegal immigrants who are accused of theft, burglary, assaulting a law enforcement officer, and any crime that causes death or serious bodily injury.”
Jackson County Prosecutor Jeff Chalfant said the new law allows officials to better protect the public.
“We know what he would be doing here. He’d be out in 30 days back driving again and somebody else could get hurt that way and we don’t want that to happen, so I think that’s most important,” said Chalfant.
His sentiment was echoed by Representative Erin Houchin (R-IN) who praised the prosecutor and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the removal of Juan Juan.
“Thanks to the Laken Riley Act, dangerous illegal aliens are finally being detained and deported before they can commit more crimes,” said Rep. Houchin in a statement.
First Piece of Legislation
The Laken Riley Act was the first piece of legislation signed into law by President Trump. It requires federal officials to detain any migrant arrested or charged with crimes like shoplifting or assaulting a police officer or crimes that injure or kill someone.
The Act was named for Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant while out for a run in February 2024.
The suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, was convicted of her death. Ibarra was arrested for illegal entry into the United States in November 2022 but was released to pursue his case in immigration court.
In addition to allowing for deportation, the bill empowers states to sue the federal government for harm caused by failures or decisions in immigration enforcement.
The measure passed with some bipartisan support, as 46 House Democrats and 12 Senate Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure.