Republicans invoke Georgia student's death in push for hard-line immigration policies

Republicans at the state and national levels are pointing to the death of a woman on the University of Georgia campus in their push for tougher immigration tactics after an undocumented immigrantwas charged in the killing of 22-year-old Laken Riley.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan who was previously arrested by federal authorities after having crossed the border into the U.S., was arrested in connection with the killing of Riley, an Augusta University College of Nursing student, last week. Republicans have blamed President Joe Biden's policies for her death.

Former President Donald Trump on Monday cited Ibarra and Riley on Truth Social, saying he would “immediately seal the border” if he returns to office.

“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!!” Trump said. “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!”

Ibarra, who lived in Athens, where the University of Georgia is based, had been arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Sept. 8, 2022, after he crossed into the U.S. He was paroled and released for further processing, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, also used Riley’s death to criticize the Biden administration.

“It’s outrageous we still have no idea who is entering this country illegally and where they’re being released,” Kemp said Sunday on X. “Americans have a right to this information, and I’m demanding the Biden administration provide it so we don’t lose even more innocent lives like Laken