Athens, Georgia – Family members of a murdered nursing student in Georgia are grieving the loss of their loved one while some Republican leaders are using the tragedy to criticize President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.
Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University College of Nursing, was discovered dead on the University of Georgia campus after going for a jog. Her family released a statement expressing their gratitude for the support they have received and honoring Laken’s memory.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to remember Laken and has requested privacy as they go through this difficult time. The suspect in custody, 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, has been charged with various offenses related to Riley’s death.
Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant who arrived in the US in 2022, has no criminal history and no known prior connection to Riley. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has called on President Biden to take action on immigration in response to Ibarra’s case, highlighting the ongoing debate on immigration policies.
Critics like House Speaker Mike Johnson have utilized the incident to push for stricter immigration laws, linking Ibarra’s status as an undocumented migrant to the need for border security measures. However, studies have shown that migrants, including undocumented individuals, are not more likely to commit crimes compared to native-born citizens.
The debate on immigration policy continues to be a divisive issue in US politics, with senators recently proposing a bipartisan agreement to address immigration restrictions and border security in exchange for aid to Ukraine and Israel. However, disagreements within the House Republican leadership have stalled progress on the proposed bill, reflecting the ongoing challenges in reaching a consensus on immigration reform.