MTG Tells Mayorkas He Should Have Deported Laken Riley ‘So That She Could Be Alive Today’
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) appears to believe slain college student Laken Riley should have been deported. During a House hearing on Tuesday, Greene questioned Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on…
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) appears to believe slain college student Laken Riley should have been deported.
During a House hearing on Tuesday, Greene questioned Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on immigration policy.
“Are you familiar with Laken Riley?” the Georgia congresswoman asked.
Mayorkas responded, “Congresswoman our heartbreaks… I am familiar with the case.”
Greene responded, “You should’ve deported her so that she could be alive today.”
“Her parents would’ve appreciated that,” she added.
Watch the video below:
Her comment referred to Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who allegedly killed by 26-year-old Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela.
During an interview with NBC News’ “Today,” Laken’s father, Jason Riley, spoke about her death and the addressed how it has become a part of the national conversation as her alleged killer was in the country illegally.
NBC News’ Priscilla Thompson asked, “Do you think a difference in immigration policy would have made a difference for Laken?”
“We have no idea if that would’ve changed anything,” Jason Riley responded.
He added, “But, he’s here illegally — he might not have been here had we had secure borders.”
Jason Riley went on to criticize how his daughter’s murder has been brought into the political debate, saying, “I feel like she’s being used somewhat politically.”
“It makes me angry. She was much better than that. She should be raised up for the person that she is,” he added.
Several politicians have taken up the slogan “say her name” to bring attention to Laken Riley’s murder. And during the State of the Union, Greene sought to pressure President Joe Biden into mentioning her.