President Biden is facing criticism for his use of the word “illegal” when referencing the alleged illegal immigrant killer of Georgia student Laken Riley during his State of the Union address last month. The President, who was prompted by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, held up a badge with Laken’s name on it and stated, “An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, that’s right.”
The use of the term “illegal” sparked controversy among Democrats and immigration activists, who argue that the word is offensive. Rep. Ilhan Omar tweeted, “Let me be clear: No human being is illegal.” Rep. Chuy Garcia also expressed disappointment, stating, “As a proud immigrant, I’m extremely disappointed to hear President Biden use the word ‘illegal’.”
Biden later addressed the issue in an interview with MSNBC, stating, “And I shouldn’t have used illegal, I should’ve… It’s undocumented. And look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about on the border was his – the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood.” He also referenced his regret for using the word and stated that he does not share the same views as former President Trump.
Many on the right have interpreted Biden’s response as an apology, with House Speaker Mike Johnson stating, “The president is cowering to his base and showing deference to a man who deserves none. This man is an illegal immigrant who brutally murdered Laken Riley. President Biden should be apologizing to Laken’s family. What an embarrassment.”
However, the White House has denied that Biden apologized and clarified his remarks, stating, “He did not apologize. He used a different word.” The administration also accused his critics of “playing politics” and renewed its calls for Congress to pass a bipartisan border agreement that would increase funding and staffing while limiting some releases into the interior.
White House spokesperson Olivia Dalton also criticized House Republicans for standing in the way of the bipartisan border security agreement. “I think it’s unconscionable that there are some people who are playing politics with this young woman’s tragic murder, and particularly at a time when let’s not forget, House Republicans are standing in the way of a bipartisan border security agreement,” Dalton said.
The proposal, which has faced conservative opposition, aims to regularize high levels of illegal immigration. However, some believe it is not tough enough and does not prioritize American safety. Biden has previously stated that border security is a top priority for his administration, but it is also important to treat immigrants with respect and dignity.
Meanwhile, the family of Laken Riley is still grieving and seeking justice for her death. Riley, a 21-year-old University of North Georgia student, was killed in a car accident on March 1st. The alleged killer, a Venezuelan national, is accused of entering the country illegally but was paroled into the interior.
As the debate over immigration continues, the focus should ultimately be on preventing future tragedies like Laken Riley’s death. Both sides of the aisle must come together to find a solution that addresses the concerns of American citizens while also showing compassion and respect towards immigrants. The President’s use of the word “illegal” may have sparked controversy, but it is crucial to move past political rhetoric and focus on finding a solution for the betterment of the country.
