Jason Riley, the father of Laken Riley, has spoken out about his daughter’s tragic death at the hands of a Venezuelan man who illegally crossed the border. In an interview on “Today,” he expressed his grief and longing to see his daughter again, but also his frustration at her name being used for political gain in the ongoing debate over border security.
Riley’s ex-wife, Allyson Phillips, has also been F in her criticism of President Joe Biden and his administration’s handling of illegal immigration. She attended a rally for former President Donald Trump in Georgia and has called Biden “pathetic” for botching Laken’s name in his State of the Union speech. Her sentiments are shared by Laken’s family members who also attended the rally.
Jason Riley echoed his ex-wife’s views, stating that while he understands the desire for a better life that drives many to cross the border, he believes there are dangerous criminals who take advantage of the porous borders and put innocent lives at risk. He expressed anger at the current administration for using his daughter’s name as a political tool to gain votes, instead of honoring her memory and recognizing her as the kind, loving person she was.
“I think they’re just using my daughter’s name for that. And she was much better than that, and she should be raised up for the person that she is. She was an angel,” said Riley. He also added that he wishes he could have been there to protect his daughter and that he would have gladly taken her place.
Laken Riley's Father Speaks Out
Jason Riley: "She was like an angel…. We have no idea if that would have changed anything, but he's here illegally. That he might not have been here had we had secure borders."https://t.co/M9qKSnfJaC
— Mr Producer (@RichSementa) March 18, 2024
The politicization of his daughter’s death has caused a rift in the family, with both sides receiving criticism from individuals on either side of the political spectrum. Riley hopes for an end to the heated and divisive debates and asks for his daughter to be remembered as the innocent victim she was, instead of being used as a symbol for a political agenda.
Riley also acknowledges that the suspect in his daughter’s murder entered the country illegally, leading to many questioning if secure borders would have prevented Laken’s death. While he cannot be certain, he believes it could have made a difference.
“We have no idea if that would have changed anything, but he’s here illegally. That he might not have been here had we had secure borders,” he said.
Riley’s heartfelt words illustrate the devastation and personal toll that illegal immigration and crime can have on families. He, along with other members of Laken’s family, call for secure borders to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. They hope for an end to the political manipulation of their daughter’s death and for her to be remembered as the “angel” she was.
All adults are against this whole government who does nothing for the American people., and that’s both sides of the aisle.