Laken Riley's Family Expresses Hope Amid Trump Immigration Policy Changes: 'Still a Lot to Be Done'

The family of Laken Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student tragically murdered while on a morning run in February 2024, says they feel renewed "hope" as a result of recent changes to U.S. immigration policy, but emphasize that significant work remains to be done. Speaking out for the first time since the enactment of the Laken Riley Act—named in honor of her sister—Lauren Phillips described the deep loss her family continues to endure while urging the nation not to lose sight of the consequences of unsecured borders.

"We definitely feel hope—but we just need to keep talking about it and keep everyone aware of what happens when nothing is done," Phillips said. She underscored that steps taken by the current administration mark progress, yet the journey toward a safer nation requires persistent advocacy and further action. "Continuing in the direction of the new administration will be very beneficial to our country," she stated.

Laken Riley's killing sent shockwaves across the country and reignited the debate over immigration enforcement after it was learned that the suspect in her murder had previously entered the United States illegally and been arrested in New York City before traveling to Georgia. Phillips has since become an outspoken advocate for stronger border security, determined to keep her sister’s memory alive by sharing Laken’s story and highlighting the ongoing risks communities face when immigration laws go unenforced.

On Thursday, Phillips appeared in the debut video for the American Border Story (TABS) campaign—a nationwide initiative that seeks to shed light on the human cost of America’s border crisis through storytelling. Addressing viewers, Phillips stressed, "It didn’t stop with Laken—it keeps happening. I feel like just telling what’s happening to all these people isn’t enough." The TABS documentary series, according to organizers, is intended to bring the truth to light and demand accountability from policymakers.

Describing her bond with Laken, Phillips shared, "She wasn’t just my sibling—she was my best friend. A lot of people would say her presence brought so much comfort and strength and peace… She had a light that is so impossible to ignore." Despite the passage of the Laken Riley Act, Phillips still feels anxiety in Athens, Georgia, the city where her sister’s life was cut short. "It’s terrifying to have to walk around the same city where such a tragic thing happened to my sister," she admitted, voicing frustration that local policies remain unchanged even after such a devastating incident.

The Laken Riley Act, signed into law as the first legislative action of the administration, directs federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants who are arrested for theft-related crimes or accused of assaulting law enforcement officers. The law also empowers states to sue the Department of Homeland Security if residents are harmed by illegal immigration.

Determined not to let Laken’s death fade from public attention, Phillips and her family have founded the Laken Hope Foundation, which aims to continue raising awareness and honoring her sister’s legacy. "I thank God every day that I have the space to share, and that he gave me Laken for the time that he did," Phillips said, adding that faith sustains her family as they seek purpose and healing from their profound loss.