The Georgia Legislature passed a bill on Thursday that lets police arrest anyone suspected of entering the country illegally following the slaying of college student Laken Riley.

The state House voted 97-74 to also let law enforcement detain illegal immigrants for deportation.

The measure would require law enforcement to report to federal authorities when someone in custody is undocumented. Not adhering to that portion of the bill could cause local governments to lose state funding or federal funding.

Georgia’s legislation follows the death of Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student killed on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. Police arrested and charged 26-year-old Jose Ibarra with murder and assault.

Immigration authorities say Mr. Ibarra, a Venezuelan, entered the country illegally in 2022.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement had detained Mr. Ibarra but later released. He then was arrested in New York and charged with acting in a manner to injure a child but was again released before ICE could ask local law enforcement to take him into custody.

Outrage has followed in the wake of Riley’s death, with Republicans especially underscoring the shortcomings of President Biden’s immigration policies and demanding he use executive measures to shutter the U.S./Mexico border. 

• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.