Democrats are furious.
In his recent State of the Union address, President Biden made reference to the tragic case of Laken Riley, a Georgia student allegedly murdered by an undocumented immigrant. This mention came amidst growing tensions over immigration policies and border security, with Republicans blaming Biden’s administration for the situation.
During his speech, Biden was interrupted by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who urged him to acknowledge Riley’s name. Biden then made reference to her, although he mistakenly stated her first name as “Lincoln Riley.” The President referred to Riley’s alleged killer as “an illegal,” a term that has sparked controversy within political circles.
Critics, particularly Democrats, took issue with Biden’s use of the term “illegal,” arguing that it dehumanizes individuals. Representatives Ilhan Omar and Chuy Garcia expressed disappointment over Biden’s choice of language, emphasizing that no human being should be labeled as “illegal.”
The term “illegal” has long been contentious, with many advocating for alternatives such as “undocumented” or simply “immigrant.” Interestingly, the Biden administration itself has discouraged the use of the term, preferring terms like “undocumented individual” or “undocumented noncitizen.”
Despite this guidance, Biden’s mention of “illegal” during the State of the Union address highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration rhetoric and policy. While urging Congress to pass a bipartisan border agreement, Biden emphasized the need to address staffing, funding, and mechanisms to regulate entries into the U.S. amidst a surge in arrivals.
Conservatives have criticized the proposed border agreement, arguing that it fails to adequately address illegal immigration and instead normalizes existing high levels of border crossings. Biden, however, remains committed to addressing the border situation and called for swift action from Congress to enact necessary reforms.
Biden’s reference to Laken Riley and the term “illegal” underscores the complex and contentious nature of immigration discourse in the United States, highlighting the challenges facing policymakers in finding effective and humane solutions to border security issues.
WATCH:
MTG just bullied Biden into saying "Lincoln Riley was kiIIed by an illegal" pic.twitter.com/i6WindtMar
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 8, 2024