The bill itself mandates the detention, and in some cases deportation, of illegal immigrants accused of violent crimes, even before a conviction is reached.

FULL LIST OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS, ACTIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS TRUMP HAS MADE AS PRESIDENT

“I believe a secure border creates a more secure nation and it’s just common sense. I believe a stronger border is fully compatible with my commitment to immigration,” Fetterman wrote in a statement. “I believe this nation is tired of leaders in D.C. prioritizing fighting over governing. I believe Pennsylvania elected me to fight for a better commonwealth and to work with both sides of the aisle.”

Though elected as a progressive populist, Fetterman has been one of the few Democrats to express openness to working with the new administration on immigration. Fetterman met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago before the election, where he reportedly agreed with Trump’s policies aimed at securing the border while still pushing for legal protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients.

Fetterman stood firm on DREAMer protections during his Wednesday statement. He is expected to be the lone Democrat to attend Wednesday’s bill signing.

The Trump administration’s immediate push to deport illegal immigrants yielded more than 2,000 arrests in the week following the Inauguration.

The Laken Riley Act is named after the University of Georgia nursing student murdered by a Venezuelan national in February of 2024 and will be the first bill Trump signs into law in his second term as president.

“To have a bill of such importance named after her is a great, great tribute,” Trump told Republicans at his Doral club earlier this week. “This shows the potential for additional enforcement bills that will help us crack down on criminal aliens and totally restore the rule of law in our country.