(NewsNation) — Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp blamed what he called the White House’s border failures for the death of Laken Riley, a student allegedly killed by a migrant who entered the country illegally.
In an interview on “NewsNation Now,” Kemp underscored the importance of information sharing between local and federal authorities, particularly in cases involving illegal immigration.
“Before the Biden administration, you had a president and an administration that wanted to work with the governors to stop the flow of illegal immigration. And this administration did not,” Kemp said criticizing the Biden administration for not addressing the issue effectively despite calls from Republican governors for action.
He highlighted the need to identify individuals crossing the border, their destinations, and whether any have committed crimes.
Kemp urged a return to “proven policies,” such as those advocated by Republican governors at the border over a year ago. These measures include reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, resuming wall construction, and deploying the National Guard. He pledged the willingness of states like Georgia to support border security efforts.
Responding to questions about political accountability, Kemp dismissed attempts to blame Republicans for border security issues, citing broader dysfunction in Washington, D.C. He urged Biden to take executive action to address the crisis, warning of potential political consequences if left unresolved.
Regarding local initiatives, Kemp revealed ongoing discussions within Georgia’s legislature to enhance cooperation between law enforcement agencies and federal authorities.
“What I’m trying to do is deal with the facts on the ground about what really happened,” Kemp said.
Police arrested Jose Ibarra, 26, Friday in connection with the killing of the nursing student killed in broad daylight while out on her morning jog along a popular University of Georgia running trail.
Ibarra entered the United States illegally in El Paso, Texas, with a 23-year-old woman claiming to be his wife and a 5-year-old child. He came from Venezuela and lived in New York before moving to Georgia.
He was processed as a single adult at the time. Border Patrol arrested him in El Paso, and he was later paroled and released for further processing due to lack of detention space.
Ibarra was bused from El Paso to New York.
NewsNation’s Devan Markham contributed to this report.