DHS Confirms to Graham: Laken Riley Murder Suspect Illegally Paroled Into U.S.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that the individual charged with the murder of Georgia student Laken Riley was paroled into the country illegally.

According to DHS, Jose Antonio Ibarra was granted “parole due to detention capacity at the Central Processing Center in El Paso, Texas.”

Graham announced this at a Judiciary Committee hearing this morning.

• GRAHAM: “[Ibarra] wasn’t paroled because he had a [significant] benefit to the country or that he had a humanitarian need, as the law requires. He was paroled because of capacity problems.” https://youtu.be/2Wn66B2xjGs?si=v0QcrxOj_Ab1dYEy&t=198
• GRAHAM: “There is no effective detention when it comes to illegal immigrants coming to our border... The ‘catch and release’ program is one of the greatest pull factors… The price of this policy by the Biden Administration is pretty darn high.” https://youtu.be/5FhkSLBMAzw?si=S8YkTkskL_M5bXsC&t=45

Ibarra, a Venezuelan national, was paroled into the United States in September 2022, and was arrested for Riley’s murder in February 2024. Following her murder, Graham wrote to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, requesting the justification for why Ibarra was paroled into the United States.

By law, immigration parole is only to be granted at the discretion of the DHS Secretary on a case-by-case basis, in instances of “urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit.”

The Biden Administration is breaking the law at the expense of innocent Americans.

Click HERE to watch Graham’s opening statement and HERE to watch his questions.

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