Bill Clinton recently weighed in on the tragic murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student from Georgia, allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela. During a campaign event in Georgia, Clinton suggested that the crime could have been prevented if the criminal had been “properly vetted.”
His remarks were part of a broader discussion about immigration policy, specifically criticizing Donald Trump for blocking a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year. Clinton argued that such a bill would have provided necessary funding to enhance border security and potentially prevented the tragedy, given that the suspect entered the U.S. in 2022.
A clip of Clinton’s statements was quickly highlighted by Trump’s campaign as evidence that even supportive figures couldn’t defend the Biden administration’s immigration policies effectively. Clinton also pointed out that Kamala Harris is the only candidate to propose a bill aimed at controlling yearly immigration rates, which Trump opposed.
With the rise and fall of illegal migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border, immigration remains a significant concern for many voters. Trump’s campaign has criticized Harris for her comments suggesting the border was secure, even as the suspect in Riley’s case crossed into the country.
Riley was murdered during a run in February, with the accused, José Antonio Ibarra, being a Venezuelan immigrant released on parole due to overcrowding at a Texas processing center, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This incident has sparked intense debate over immigration policies, with Senator Lindsey Graham also criticizing the administration’s decisions.
During his campaign, Trump has promised to enact a mass deportation plan if re-elected, proposing the reinstatement of policies like “remain in Mexico.” He even mentioned plans to seek the death penalty for undocumented immigrants who kill American citizens.
As Harris faced questions about immigration following the recent controversies, she defended the Biden administration’s early immigration reforms, emphasizing that they are addressing long-standing issues and proposing solutions from the very start of their term.