Lauren Phillips, sister of murdered Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, addressed the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night and directly attributed her sister's death to the immigration policies during the Biden Administration.

Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University student, was attacked and killed while jogging on the University of Georgia campus in Athens on February 22, 2024. Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra, who entered the United States illegally in 2022 and was later released into the country, was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Phillips stated that Biden's border policies allowed dangerous individuals like Ibarra to remain in the United States instead of being deported. She emphasized that her sister would still be alive under stricter enforcement measures that prioritize public safety over lenient catch-and-release practices.

The remarks came amid repeated references to Riley's case by Republican speakers throughout the convention. Multiple GOP lawmakers and surrogates highlighted how Ibarra had prior encounters with law enforcement before the killing, including an arrest in New York, yet remained free due to sanctuary policies and federal parole decisions.

Phillips described the ongoing pain her family endures and stressed the need for accountability at the federal level. Her comments echoed broader Republican focus on border security as a central campaign issue in the approaching November general elections.

The Laken Riley Act, signed into law in early 2025, requires detention of illegal immigrants charged with certain crimes such as theft, assault, or those resulting in death or serious injury. The legislation passed with bipartisan support in Congress following sustained pressure from victims, families, and Republican lawmakers.

Riley's case has remained a prominent example in discussions of immigration enforcement failures. Phillips and her mother, Allyson Phillips, have continued to advocate for policies intended to prevent similar tragedies like Riley's by ensuring prompt removal of criminal illegal immigrants.