OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former President Donald Trump is furious after the murder of a nursing student at the hands of an illegal immigrant who was caught and released.
University of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley was found dead on Thursday and Jose Antonio Ibarra, who entered the United States illegally and the Mexican border with El Paso, Texas in 2022, was arrested as a suspect in her murder.
The former president took to his Truth Social platform to rail against President Joe Biden’s border policy, which he blamed for the death, and made a promise of his own.
“Crooked Joe Biden’s Border INVASION is destroying our country and killing our citizens!” the former president said. “The horrible murder of 22-year-old Laken Riley at the University of Georgia should have NEVER happened! The monster who took her life illegally entered our Country in 2022 … and then was released AGAIN by Radical Democrats in New York after injuring a CHILD!!”
“When I am your President, we will immediately Seal the Border, Stop the Invasion, and on Day One, we will begin the largest deportation operation of illegal CRIMINALS in American History!” he said. “May God Bless Laken Riley and her family!!! Our prayers are with you!”
By contrast, President Biden has yet to say a word about the murder of Riley, but the White House did give a comment to Fox News.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley. People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty. Given this is an active case, we would have to refer you to state law enforcement and ICE,” it said.
On Sunday Immigration and customs Enforcement said that Ibarra was arrested on Sept. 8, 2022, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) “after unlawfully entering the United States near El Paso, Texas.”
“He was paroled and released for further processing,” it said.
“On Sept. 14, 2023, [Jose] Ibarra was arrested by the New York Police Department and charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation,” ICE said. “He was released by the NYPD before a detainer could be issued. On Feb. 23, 2024, ERO [Enforcement and Removal Operations] Atlanta encountered Ibarra pursuant to his arrest by the University of Georgia Police Department and being charged with murder and other crimes. ERO Atlanta lodged a detainer.”
Her school issued a press release to students in the aftermath of her murder.
“We have been fully briefed on this terrible situation. Foul play is suspected, and we are already receiving support from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate this crime. We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern,” it said.
“The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our University. Our student body is grieving the sudden death of one our students in Brumby Hall last night. And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today’s devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, particularly our students,” it said.
Republicans laid the blame in part on the Biden administration’s policies and called for stricter immigration enforcement.
“Every parent, and every American, is saddened—and outraged—to hear about the loss of University of Georgia student Laken Riley. Our prayers are with her family and friends as they mourn this tragedy. The brutal murderer who took the life of Laken was one of the millions of illegal aliens that the Biden Administration simply released and unleashed upon our country. For Laken, and the countless many others lost to this border catastrophe, House Republicans will continue to fight tooth and nail for a return to law and order. Mr. President, use your existing statutory authority and CLOSE THE BORDER!” House Speaker Mike Johnson said.
“Laken Riley’s tragic death struck the hearts of Georgians everywhere and has sparked national outrage,” Georgia Gov Brian Kemp said. “Joe Biden’s failed policies have turned every state into a border state, and I’m demanding information from him so we can protect our people when the federal government won’t!”
