State of the Union 2024: Laken Riley’s parents will not attend despite invite from Mike Collins

The parents of Laken Riley, a nursing student killed on the University of Georgia campus last month, will not attend President Joe Biden‘s State of the Union despite an invitation from Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA).

Collins announced on Wednesday that Riley’s parents declined his invitation to attend Biden’s address as his guest. The Georgia congressman led a moment of silence on the House floor last week in honor of the student, who was allegedly killed by a Venezuelan immigrant who had been arrested in 2022 for illegally crossing the border.

“I invited Laken Riley’s parents to the State of the Union address, but understandably, they have chosen to stay home as they grieve the loss of their daughter,” Collins said in a post on X. “Therefore, the seat reserved for my guest will remain vacant to honor Laken and all American victims of illegal alien crime.”

“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,” the congressman continued.

I invited Laken Riley’s parents to the State of the Union address, but understandably, they have chosen to stay home as they grieve the loss of their daughter.

Therefore, the seat reserved for my guest will remain vacant to honor Laken and all American victims of illegal alien…

— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) March 6, 2024 The decision to invite Riley’s parents comes as Biden is facing increasing pressure to make policy changes at the southern border, which is seeing an unprecedented number of illegal crossings. At least one lawmaker, Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), is calling on the president to name Riley in his speech and acknowledge her death on Thursday during the State of the Union.

Riley’s death sparked national outrage among Republicans, who have blamed her death and other similar acts of violence on Biden’s perceived lack of border security policies. Her death reignited a debate on how to address the surge of illegal crossings, with GOP lawmakers calling on Biden to reinstate Trump-era measures.

Collins also introduced a piece of legislation in response to her death called the Laken Riley Act. Under the bill, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would be required to detain immigrants who have been charged with crimes such as local theft or burglary in the United States. The House voted to adopt a rule to consider the Laken Riley Act on Wednesday, setting the bill up for a vote as early as Thursday.

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“Had it not been for the open border policies of this administration, Laken Riley would still be with us, pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse,” Collins said in a statement. “This recklessness cannot be allowed to continue. We need accountability, which is why I’m asking the House to immediately consider and pass the Laken Riley Act.”

Eyes will be on Biden’s State of the Union address to see how he addresses immigration and the economy, with Republicans expected to oppose his approach, particularly if he tries to blame any problems on GOP infighting or inability to work across the aisle with Democrats and the White House.

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