Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., revealed on social media that the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to him that Laken Riley’s alleged murderer, Jose Ibarra, was paroled into the U.S. illegally due to the Central Processing Center in El Paso, Texas, being capped. Ibarra, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant, has been charged in connection with the murder of Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing school student who was killed while jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens. U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had encountered Ibarra on Sept. 8, 2022, and he was paroled and released for further processing.
Graham criticized the Biden administration for paroling Ibarra into the U.S. illegally, stating that he wasn’t granted parole because he provided a significant benefit to the country or had a humanitarian need, as required by law. The senator highlighted that innocent Americans were being put at risk due to the administration’s actions. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding this claim. Ibarra had been arrested by the New York Police Department a year after being paroled, on Sept. 14, 2023, and was charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation, although ICE later corrected that he was arrested on Aug. 31, 2023.
Riley, a former UGA student who was attending a nursing program at Augusta University’s Athens campus, was found dead in February. She had made the dean’s list at Augusta University. Police have charged Ibarra with a number of offenses including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another person. The case has drawn attention to the issue of illegal immigration and the potential dangers it poses to American citizens.
Ibarra’s case has raised concerns about the parole process for illegal immigrants and the need for better enforcement of immigration laws. The fact that he was able to enter the country illegally and commit such a heinous crime has sparked outrage and calls for stricter border security measures. The tragedy of Riley’s murder has highlighted the need for reform in the immigration system to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The Biden administration’s handling of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. has come under scrutiny as a result of cases like Ibarra’s. The failure to properly vet individuals and grant parole based on merit or humanitarian needs has put innocent Americans at risk. It remains to be seen how the administration will respond to these criticisms and what steps will be taken to address the issue of illegal immigration and ensure the safety of the American people. The tragic death of Laken Riley serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of failing to enforce immigration laws effectively.
