Former President Trump blasted Democrat border safety and legislation enforcement insurance policies for the homicide of Georgia scholar Laken Riley by the hands of an unlawful immigrant, vowing that “when” elected, he’ll “instantly seal the border” and start the “largest deportation operation of unlawful criminals in American historical past.”
Riley, a 22-year-old nursing scholar from Augusta College, was discovered lifeless on the College of Georgia campus Thursday after her roommate reported to authorities that she had not returned dwelling from her morning run.
ICE CONFIRMS GEORGIA STUDENT MURDER SUSPECT ENTERED US ILLEGALLY, WAS PREVIOUSLY ARRESTED IN NYC
The College of Georgia Police Division arrested Jose Antonio Ibarra and charged him with malice homicide, felony homicide, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 name and concealing the dying of one other, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark mentioned throughout a information briefing Friday night.
Former President Trump (Spencer Platt)
The suspect is just not a U.S. citizen. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Sunday confirmed that the Venezuelan nationwide entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and had beforehand been arrested in New York Metropolis.
“Crooked Joe Biden’s Border INVASION is destroying our nation and killing our residents!” Trump, the 2024 GOP frontrunner, mentioned Monday in a put up on his TRUTH Social. “The horrible homicide of 22-year-old Laken Riley on the College of Georgia ought to have NEVER occurred!”
Homicide suspect Jose Ibarra lived inside a five-minute stroll of the approximate scene the place he allegedly murdered 22-year-old nursing scholar Laken Riley on Feb. 22. (Mark Sims for Fox Information Digital/Laken Riley/Jose Ibarra)
Trump mentioned that “the monster who took her life illegally entered our Nation in 2022… after which was launched AGAIN by Radical Democrats in New York after injuring a CHILD!!”
GEORGIA STUDENT MURDER SUSPECT CONFIRMED TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT
“When I’m your President, we are going to instantly Seal the Border, Cease the Invasion, and on Day One, we are going to start the biggest deportation operation of unlawful CRIMINALS in American Historical past!” Trump mentioned.
He added: “Might God Bless Laken Riley and her household!!! Our prayers are with you!”
Fox Information had beforehand reported that Ibarra had crossed into the U.S. illegally close to El Paso in September 2022 and was paroled into the U.S.
LAKEN RILEY CASE: GEORGIA AUTHORITIES IDENTIFY MURDER SUSPECT IN CUSTODY IN NURSING STUDENT’S SLAYING
In a press release to Fox Information Digital, ICE confirmed he had been encountered by Customs and Border Safety (CBP) on Sept. 8, 2022, after coming into close to El Paso and was “paroled and launched for additional processing.”
A memorial for Laken Riley is seen alongside Lake Herrick on the College of Georgia campus in Athens on Feb. 24, 2024. (Mark Sims for Fox Information Digital)
ICE additionally confirmed that Ibarra had been arrested by the New York Police Division a 12 months later, on Sept. 14, 2023, and “charged with performing in a way to injure a toddler lower than 17 and a motorized vehicle license violation.”
When ICE learns that what it believes to be a detachable unlawful immigrant has been arrested on felony costs, the company will usually lodge a detainer – a request asking native legislation enforcement to maintain the suspect in custody till they are often transferred to ICE and put into deportation proceedings.
LAKEN RILEY MURDER SUSPECT JOSE IBARRA LIVED WITHIN 5-MINUTE WALK OF UGA CRIME SCENE
On this case, nevertheless, ICE’s assertion says Ibarra was launched earlier than a detainer may very well be issued. NYC can also be a “sanctuary metropolis,” which typically restricts legislation enforcement from complying with ICE detainers.
Ibarra appeared in court docket on Saturday morning, when Clarke County Justice of the Peace Decide Donarell Inexperienced denied his bond “for in the present day.” Two translators have been current. Ibarra nodded when spoken to.
Ibarra’s brother, Diego, was charged Friday with possessing a fraudulent inexperienced card and is being held in state custody. The federal arrest affidavit for Diego Ibarra says that in September 2023, Athens-Clarke County Police charged him with drunken driving and driving with no license. He was later arrested for shoplifting and later skipped court docket.
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In its assertion, ICE mentioned its Enforcement and Elimination Operations workplace in Atlanta “encountered Ibarra pursuant to his arrest by the College of Georgia Police Division and being charged with homicide and different crimes. ERO Atlanta lodged a detainer.”
Clark mentioned “the proof is powerful” in opposition to Ibarra.
Fox Information’ Michael Ruiz, Invoice Melugin and Haley Chi-Sing contributed to this report.
