President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday was his final one before the 2024 presidential contest.
Prior to Biden’s address, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene confronted the President about the death of college student Laken Riley, who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant, on the House floor.
Biden is heard saying to Greene, “I’ll say her name,” as she gives him a commemorative pin with Riley’s picture on it.
Before giving Biden the pin, Greene added—her exact words are unclear—”Laken Riley.” Mr. President, say her name,” the president said before continuing.
Read: Crackdown On Illegal Immigrant ‘Community’ IDs Ready For Florida Gov. DeSantis
Afterward, during his speech, Biden held up the pin and mentioned Riley’s name, calling Jose Antonio Ibarra, the person who is accused of killing her, “illegal.”
The Laken Riley Act
The Laken Riley Act, a bill named for a murdered Georgia nursing student that would require the detention of undocumented immigrants in the United States who commit specific crimes, was voted down by more than half of the House Democratic Caucus on Thursday.
The bill passed with 214 Republicans and 37 Democrats voting Yay.
“Laken Riley was murdered in cold blood by Jose Ibarra – an illegal alien who had committed previous crimes in NY. This NEVER should have happened & today we voted to to ensure ALL criminal illegals like Ibarra will be arrested & detained. 170 Democrats STILL voted against this,” said Rep. Byron Donalds on X.
Read: Illegal Immigrant Charged In The Death Of Washington State Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Jose Antonio Ibarra crossed the southern border into El Paso, Texas, and was initially detained but was then released by authorities due to a lack of holding space, as Tampa Free Press reported.
Authorities have charged Ibarra with felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, malice murder, and concealing the death of another.
Riley’s death was discovered after her friend asked UGA police to perform a wellness check after she failed to return from a morning run. UGA Chief of Police Jeff Clark said that Riley died from “blunt force trauma.”
Riley was an active member of Woodstock City Church, a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and a Dean’s List student, according to WSB-TV 2 Atlanta.
The primary purpose of the Laken Riley Act is to strengthen penalties for undocumented individuals accused of criminal activities, especially theft.
The Act serves as a response to cases like Laken Riley’s, where her accused killer, Jose Ibarra, had previously been cited for shoplifting but was not arrested.
By requiring the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft, the Act aims to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and protect American citizens from potential harm.
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