The tragic death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, during a police intervention, sparked a nationwide call for changes in police procedures. In response to the outcry over Floyd’s death, former President Donald Trump remarked, “It doesn’t get any worse than that.” Shortly after, within three weeks, he enacted an executive order. This order aimed to create a database to track abuses of force and advocated for the enhancement of police practices.
On February 22, 2024, a distressing event unfolded when Laken Riley, a nursing student from Georgia, was fatally attacked. The suspect in her death is Jose Ibarra, allegedly linked to the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. This incident has led to a heated debate, with Democrats criticizing Republicans for politicizing the tragedy. They argue Republicans are using this as an opportunity to push for stricter migrant vetting processes.
Athens, Georgia’s Democratic mayor, Kelly Girtz, where the tragic incident occurred, believes the focus should be on the individual responsible, not on migrants as a whole. However, this perspective raises questions about consistency in assigning blame, as seen in the case of George Floyd.
The murder of Riley has reignited discussions on the need for thorough vetting of migrants entering the U.S. Critics argue that the current administration’s policies are too lenient, allowing individuals to enter the country with minimal scrutiny. This criticism intensified following the revelation that Ibarra had been arrested for illegal entry into the U.S. in September 2022 but was released shortly after by Customs and Border Protection with little to no vetting.
Documents from the Department of Homeland Security have identified Ibarra as a gang member. Yet, former Border Patrol officers claim that the administration’s priority is to expedite the release of migrants from custody, often without adequate background checks. Despite these concerns, the DHS maintains that migrants undergo thorough security vetting.
This claim was challenged by a recent federal court ruling regarding the Biden administration’s parole program for migrants. The ruling highlighted the ease with which migrants can enter the U.S., with a staggering 98% approval rate for those who follow the process. This has led to criticisms of the vetting process’s effectiveness, with some pointing out the tragic consequences of such policies.
For instance, Tammy Nobles shared the heartbreaking story of her daughter’s murder before a House panel, emphasizing the failure in vetting processes that could have prevented the tragedy. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has urged against politicizing such deaths, a stance that contrasts with the national response to George Floyd’s death.
Recent studies have suggested that immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than native-born Americans. However, these studies are being challenged by those who point to the changing dynamics, with countries like Venezuela and El Salvador reportedly sending criminals to the U.S. This has sparked a debate on the need for enhanced protection for Americans.
The debate is not about the terminology used to describe individuals like Ibarra but about the need to prevent dangerous individuals from entering the country. The tragic case of Riley underscores the importance of effective border control and vetting processes.
Betsy McCaughey, a former lieutenant governor of New York and chair of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths, shares these insights. Follow her for more updates and discussions on these critical issues.