Support for Mike Collins in Georgia Senate Race

The family of Rayken Riley, a young nursing student from Georgia who was tragically killed by an illegal immigrant in Venezuela, has expressed their support for Mike Collins in the Senate race.

In their statement, they backed Collins (R-Ga.) following his introduction of the Raiken Riley Law, a piece of legislation aimed at tightening restrictions on illegal immigrants involved in crime.

“A lot of people go to Washington, and it changes them. But in the short time we’ve known him, Mike Collins went to Washington and changed that,” said John Phillips, Riley’s stepfather.

“There’s no one else in this race who deserves to be in the US Senate more than Mike Collins. He truly means what he says and makes a real impact,” added Riley’s family.

“What Mike did for our family wasn’t about politics or seeking attention. He stood up to ensure justice for our sweet Laiken, and for that, we are forever grateful to Mike Collins, Senator Katie Britt, and President Trump,” they continued.

This bill, which was the first one signed by Trump after he took office, mandates that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) detain all illegal immigrants arrested for both violent crimes, like murder and assault, and certain non-violent crimes. It also includes provisions for those seeking asylum.

Furthermore, the legislation allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government if they believe their states are negatively impacted by inadequate enforcement of immigration laws.

Riley was murdered in February 2024 by Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan national illegally residing in the United States at the time of the incident.

Prior to this tragic event, Ibarra had been arrested in September 2022 for unlawfully entering the U.S. and was arrested again in 2023 for endangerment to a child but was released under the former President Biden’s “catch and release” policy. His last arrest before Riley’s murder was for shoplifting.

“The Biden administration and our current senators allowed the open borders that led to Layken’s murder,” Riley’s family commented. “They were focused on illegal immigrants, not on protecting their own constituents. Please support Mike Collins next November to create policies that keep all Georgians safe.”