WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have called on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to release files regarding the immigration parole status of Jose Antonio Ibarra, the suspect charged in the murder of Augusta University student Laken Riley.
In a letter addressed to Secretary Mayorkas, the Senators, along with their Senate Judiciary GOP colleagues, expressed their concerns over how Ibarra was granted parole into the United States. They emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the decision-making process regarding immigration parole.
"We are deeply saddened by this senseless and preventable act of violence, and we write today demanding answers about how Ibarra was allowed to enter and remain in the United States," the Senators stated in their letter.
The Senators further added, "We demand that you show us your work. No later than March 8th, please provide us with a copy of the case file for Jose Antonio Ibarra, including the record showing what urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit justified the decision to grant him parole."
The letter, led by Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham and signed by several other Republican Senators, highlighted the importance of understanding the rationale behind granting parole to individuals like Ibarra.
The Senators' request for the release of Ibarra's case file aims to shed light on the decision-making process and ensure accountability within the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration parole.
As the investigation into the tragic incident involving Laken Riley continues, Senators Cornyn and Cruz, along with their colleagues, remain committed to seeking clarity and transparency in the handling of cases such as Ibarra's.