State, national politicians react to homicide at University of Georgia

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Some state and national politicians are using the death of Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley to call for greater border security.

Riley’s alleged killer, 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, is from Venezuela and is not a U.S. citizen. His older brother Diego was arrested for possessing a fake green card as a result of the investigation into Riley’s murder.

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said “I think we look at the murder at the University of Georgia and think, why are we continuing to allow this border to be open? It’s inexcusable,” in an interview with WCSC in Charleston.

In a publicized letter to President Joe Biden, Gov. Brian Kemp said the crime was part of the “disastrous impacts of an unsecured U.S. southern border.” He asked the Biden administration to release information about Jose Ibarra’s immigration status, Diego Ibarra’s fraudulent identification and how the two entered the country.

“While we will continue to support Texas with National Guard resources as we have since 2019, federal action to secure the border is the only way to holistically address this ongoing crisis and ensure Laken Riley’s horrible fate is not replicated across the country,” he wrote.

Georgia Speaker Jon Burns released the following statement:

Diego Ibarra was “processed for expedited removal” after his arrest, but a court will hold a hearing for his asylum claim on Apr. 30.

Jose Ibarra has been denied bond after being charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another.

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