Politicians in Georgia are pointing fingers at federal immigration policies following the tragic murder of Laken Riley. The suspect in Riley’s murder, Jose Antonio Ibarra, is an undocumented migrant from Venezuela. University of Georgia Police Chief Jeffrey Clark confirmed that Riley and Ibarra did not know each other, and the crime was a crime of opportunity. Despite this, politicians in Georgia are using the incident to criticize the Biden administration’s handling of immigration.
Georgia Rep. Mike Collins blamed President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and the government of Athens-Clarke County for Riley’s death. Collins argued that the Biden administration’s release of millions of illegal aliens into the country, along with Democrat-run sanctuary jurisdictions, were responsible for allowing Ibarra to be in America. He stated, “This man had no business being in America, much less the UGA community to brutally murder this young American while she was on a run.”
Georgia Sen. President Pro Tem John Kennedy criticized Athens’ status as a sanctuary city and claimed that such policies embolden criminals and put Georgians at risk. He called out politicians who prioritize their political agenda over public safety, emphasizing the importance of competence and diligence in the criminal justice system.
Governor Brian Kemp also joined the chorus of voices criticizing President Biden’s immigration policies, stating that every state is now a border state due to Biden’s inaction. He demanded answers and information from the Biden administration to help protect Georgia’s citizens when the federal government fails to do so.
On a national level, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson urged President Biden to use his existing statutory authority to close the border. However, Democrats in the General Assembly pushed back against these calls. Georgia state senator Jason Esteves urged politicians not to exploit Riley’s family’s grief for political gain and pointed out that concerns about border security should be directed towards former President Donald J. Trump.
Esteves referred to Trump’s recent efforts to prevent the passing of a bipartisan border security bill. Trump and other top Republicans opposed the deal, deeming it insufficient. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it “dead on arrival.” Despite Republicans’ objections, the bill was supported by Democrats and aimed to address immigration issues.
Additional information provided by law enforcement confirmed that both Jose Ibarra and his brother, Diego, were in the United States as undocumented immigrants. Diego Ibarra, a citizen of Venezuela, was released from immigration custody pending the adjudication of his claim for asylum.
The tragic murder of Laken Riley has ignited a heated debate about federal immigration policies in Georgia. While politicians blame the Biden administration for allowing undocumented migrants into the country, Democrats argue that concerns should be directed towards the previous administration. As the discussion rages on, the focus remains on seeking justice for Laken Riley and ensuring the safety of all citizens in Georgia.
