Rep. Jim Banks wrote a letter urging President Biden to acknowledge the death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student, during his upcoming State of the Union address.
Riley was killed last month and the suspect charged is an undocumented immigrant who entered the US in 2022.
Banks argues Riley’s death was preventable and highlights Biden’s failures on border security and immigration.
“At just six years old, Laken knew she wanted to be a nurse so she could help people. She was living her dream until it was shattered by Joe Biden’s wide open border,” Banks said. “This was a totally avoidable tragedy. President Biden owes it to her family and the American people to say her name.”
He implored Biden to publicly acknowledge the tragedy and take action to secure the border in order to prevent further crimes resulting from the surge in illegal immigration.
“As Commander-in-Chief, it is your duty to protect American citizens, and this tragedy highlights the urgent need to address the surge in crime resulting from your negligence at our southern border,” Banks wrote.
“Your failure to publicly acknowledge this tragedy is unacceptable,” Banks added.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley,” a the White House spokesperson said. “People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty. Given this is an active case, we would have to refer you to state law enforcement and ICE.”
Riley’s mother has advocated for her daughter’s name to be said, changing her social media profile in her honor.
Banks wants Biden to respect the family’s wishes by mentioning Riley during the address and taking border security more seriously.
“You have a great opportunity to respect the wishes of Laken Riley’s mother by breaking your silence and saying her name at the upcoming State of the Union address on Thursday, March 7, 2024,” Banks told Biden.
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