'Way too soon': Internet slams Georgia Rep Mike Collins after Laken Riley's parents turn down his invite to Biden's SOTU address

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: The tragic death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia, continues to reverberate as her parents, John Phillips and his wife, have made a poignant decision regarding a high-profile invitation.

Rep Mike Collins (R-GA), representing Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, revealed that the parents of the slain jogger declined an invitation to attend the State of the Union address scheduled for Thursday, March 7.

The decision comes as the family continues to grieve the loss of their beloved daughter.

Political context and controversy

In a statement provided by Rep Collins to X on Wednesday, he expressed understanding for the parents’ choice, stating, “But understandably, they have chosen to stay home as they grieve the loss of their daughter.”

However, amidst the tragic episode, questions arose about the potential influence of Collins’ controversial political affiliations on the family's decision. Collins has garnered attention for his polarizing stance on various issues, including a recent incident involving an antisemitic post on X targeting a journalist from The Washington Post.

Additionally, his vocal support for contentious border security measures, notably advocating for the use of 'Pinochet Air' tactics, has drawn criticism, per the Daily Beast.

Riley's father, John Phillips, paid tribute to his daughter's memory in a heartfelt statement on GoFundMe dated February 27, describing her as “an amazing daughter, sister, friend and overall person in general. Her love for the Lord was exemplified in every aspect of her life. She will be missed every day, but we promise to honor her life moving forward in a very big way.”

Tragic circumstances unveiled

The circumstances surrounding Riley's death remain shrouded in tragedy. Her lifeless body was discovered with visible injuries on the University of Georgia campus in February.

Subsequently, 26-year-old Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan national, was apprehended. Law enforcement authorities characterize the incident as a "crime of opportunity," and Ibarra faces charges including felony murder, kidnapping, and false imprisonment.

In a symbolic gesture, Rep Collins announced his intention to keep the guest seat reserved for Riley vacant during the presidential address, emphasizing the need to honor her memory alongside other American victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

Collins recently introduced the Laken Riley Act, a legislative proposal aimed at granting states greater autonomy in addressing immigration matters, particularly in cases where migrants are implicated in criminal activities.

The proposed bill, if ratified, would compel immigration authorities to detain individuals charged with theft or burglary, with Collins asserting its necessity in averting similar tragedies caused by porous border control measures.

“As Joe Biden attempts to paint a rosy picture of the crime-ridden country he has created, he will look up at an empty seat that memorializes those we’ve lost because of his open border policies,” Collins wrote.

Social media backlash

Critics on social media, however, contended that Collins’ response to Riley's death smacks of political exploitation, accusing him of weaponizing the tragedy to advance partisan agendas.

"Honestly why do you all try to politicize s**t. Can you imagine what they are going thru. Way too soon. Way too soon," one posted on X.

"Or maybe they don’t want to be used as political props," another wrote.

"They don't want to attend because the GOP has completely politicized the death of their daughter. Using their daughter's death as a political weapon doesn't bode well for the GOP," a comment read.

"The hell is wrong with you," someone else fumed.

"How about Sandy Hook? Got enough seats for them?" another chimed in.

Legislative landscape and immigration challenges

The legislative landscape reflects the polarization surrounding immigration policy. A combined rule encompassing financial services and the Laken Riley Act narrowly passed by a 214-211 vote in the House, highlighting the contentious nature of the debate. Notably, no Democrats supported the measure.

Background checks on the suspect, Jose Ibarra, reveal a checkered past, including a prior arrest in New York for endangering a child and a citation for misdemeanor shoplifting in Georgia, alongside his brother Diego Ibarra, in October 2023. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed his illegal entry into the United States near El Paso, Texas, in 2022, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.