On Monday’s episode of NBC’s The Today Show, Laken Riley’s father, Jason Riley, spoke out about his daughter’s tragic death and his concerns regarding the politicization of her passing in the ongoing border debate.
Laken, a 22-year-old nursing student, was fatally attacked while jogging on the University of Georgia campus last month. Her alleged assailant, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela who authorities claim entered the country unlawfully in 2022, has been arrested and charged with her murder.
NBC reporter Priscilla Thompson introduced her interview with Jason Riley by highlighting how Laken Riley’s name has become entangled in the partisan discourse surrounding immigration and border policies.
Thompson asked Jason Riley if he believed that different immigration policies could have potentially altered the outcome for Laken. In response, the grieving father expressed uncertainty, stating,
“We have no idea if that would’ve changed anything,” before noting the suspect’s undocumented status and the importance of secure borders.
Laken Riley’s name has been invoked by political figures such as former President Donald Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to advocate for stricter border security measures. Despite this, the proposed legislation known as “The Laken Riley Act,” which aimed to mandate ICE to detain undocumented migrants involved in theft-related crimes, failed to pass in the Senate.
Expressing his frustration, Jason Riley conveyed his belief that Laken’s memory is being exploited for political gain. He emphasized that she deserved to be remembered for who she was as a person, not as a political tool.
Regarding the legal proceedings, court documents reveal that the suspect, 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, has opted for a jury trial, suggesting a potentially protracted legal process for both families involved.
