Republican lawmakers slammed the Biden administration over lax border policies after a Venezuelan who allegedly entered the United States illegally was arrested on suspicion of killing a Georgia nursing student.
Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was arrested Friday in connection with the murder of Laken Riley, whose body was found the day before near a lake on the University of Georgia campus.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) offered prayers for Riley’s family and friends before harshly criticizing President Biden for the administration’s policies that led to the 22-year-old’s murder.
“The brutal killer who took Ms. Laken’s life was one of the millions of illegal aliens the Biden administration simply released and unleashed on our country.” Mr. Johnson said.
“For Mr. Laken and the countless others who have lost their lives in this border catastrophe, House Republicans will continue to fight tooth and nail to restore law and order. Mr. President, Existing Legal Authority Please exercise this and close the borders!”
Ybarra allegedly entered the United States in September 2022 via El Paso, Texas, but was released from custody due to lack of space, NewsNation reported Saturday, citing a Department of Homeland Security official.
Biden has “blood on his hands” after Ybarra was released after entering the United States.
Follow The Post’s coverage of Laken Riley’s murder
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp sent a letter to Biden requesting information on Ybarra’s immigration status while calling for a comprehensive approach to improving border security, according to a copy of the memo. Shared by X.
“Joe Biden’s policy failures have turned every state into a border state. I’m demanding information from him so we can protect our people when the federal government won’t!” Kemp wrote on X. Ta.
Riley, 22, attended UGA as an undergraduate until the spring of 2023 before transferring to nearby Augusta University’s nursing program.
Ybarra faces numerous charges in connection with the killing, including murder with malice, police announced Friday.
Lawmakers, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), have called out Ybarra. to receive the death penalty for the murder of Riley.
“Ibarra is an illegal immigrant who murdered a young woman, about the same age as my child. Deportation alone is not enough. He deserves the death penalty,” she said.
