Kelly Girtz, the Mayor of Athens, Georgia, denied his city’s sanctuary status after an illegal alien from Venezuela committed a violent act. 22-year-old Laken Riley was killed by 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra on the campus of the University of Georgia. Ibarra used a weapon that disfigured her skull, and he dragged her body to a secluded area. The illegal alien crossed into the United States through El Paso in September 2022. At the time of his crossing, border patrol had a policy of allowing illegal crossers into the interior of the country due to being overwhelmed. Riley was a nursing student at Augusta University, which has a campus near UGA in Athens.
Protesters confronted Mayor Girtz at a press conference after the heinous killing. They asked questions about the “sanctuary city” status of Athens. Sanctuary cities, in short, do not report the immigration status of people in the city to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as “ICE.” Girtz attempted to break down legalese about the specific status of Athens under Georgia law. The protesters refused to listen and called Girtz a liar.
A video from 2019 shows Girtz affirming his loyalty to undocumented residents in the city, protecting them against ICE. Another video shows Athens-Clark County Sherriff John Q. Williams vowing to protect residents of the city from ICE as well.
SOURCES:
Laken Riley, Nursing Student Found Dead on UGA Campus: What We Know – The New York Times
UGA Laken Riley murder: Gruesome details revealed, Jose Ibarra used weapon | LiveNOW from FOX – YouTube
Protesters yell at Athens mayor during Laken Riley press conference – YouTube
Robert Garcia says it’s ‘racist’ to suggest migrant crime is rising
‘A Biden Migrant Has Been Charged’: Trump Rails Over Death Of Laken Riley Before Border Visit – YouTube
