A 26-year-old man from Venezuela, identified as Jose Ibarra, has been accused of the murder of University of Georgia nursing student Lakin Riley. Ibarra, confirmed by ICE to be an illegal immigrant who entered the U.S. through El Paso, Texas in September 2022, had previous encounters with the law.
According to ICE, Ibarra was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for unlawfully entering the U.S. near El Paso, Texas. He had also been arrested in New York City for child endangerment in August. Despite a possible ICE detainer, he was released by the NYPD.
It was reported that Ibarra and his wife crossed into the U.S. together to join their asylum cases. His wife expressed disbelief but stated that if he was guilty, he should face the consequences.
Authorities revealed that Ibarra resided just five minutes away from where Riley's body was discovered, leading them to believe the crime was opportunistic.
Former President Donald Trump commented on the case, labeling it as a 'migrant crime' and blaming the current administration for allowing criminals into the country. He emphasized the need to 'make America great again.'
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has refused to accept the deportation of Venezuelan migrants accused of crimes in the U.S., leaving them as the responsibility of the U.S. justice system.
The tragic incident involving Riley's murder has sparked concerns about safety on campus and the impact of illegal immigration on crime rates. The community mourns the loss of a promising young student and demands justice for the senseless act.
