The tragic killing of Laken Riley, allegedly by an undocumented immigrant, has sparked a national conversation on immigration enforcement and political exploitation. The incident gained significant attention during President Joe Biden's State of the Union speech in March, when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene interrupted the president to demand acknowledgment of Riley's death. In response, Biden held up a button that read: 'Say Her Name LAKEN RILEY.'
In the aftermath of Riley's death, several states took action by passing new laws related to immigration enforcement. Georgia, for instance, enacted a law in May that mandates local and state law officials to verify the immigration status of individuals over the age of 18 who have been arrested, are in detention, or are suspected of committing a crime based on probable cause.
Riley's father, Jason Riley, expressed his frustration in March, stating that he felt 'angry' that his daughter's case was being exploited for political gain. While he voiced support for former President Trump and the importance of securing the southern border, Riley's father emphasized his desire for his daughter's death not to be politicized.
