Staff Reports
A recent Harvard/Harris poll unveils a significant sentiment among Hispanic Americans regarding the terminology used to describe the suspect accused of murdering Laken Riley, shedding light on broader attitudes toward immigration and law enforcement in the United States.
Poll: Majority of Hispanics Disagree with Biden, Say Calling Laken Riley’s Alleged Killer ‘Illegal’ Is Appropriate https://t.co/jR2HPcTyer
— KDR74 (@KDR_2023) March 29, 2024
Following pressure from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene during his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden initially referred to the suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, as "an illegal," sparking subsequent reflection and regret over the terminology used. However, despite Biden's backtrack, the poll indicates that 74 percent of Hispanic Americans surveyed deem the term "illegal" appropriate in describing Riley's accused killer, contrasting with the 26 percent who find it inappropriate.
The sentiment is echoed across racial and political lines, with 79 percent of the general population, including 80 percent of Republicans, 79 percent of Democrats, and 78 percent of swing voters, expressing acceptance of using the term "illegal" to describe individuals like Ibarra. Additionally, 73 percent of Americans find the term "illegal immigrants" appropriate, transcending racial and political affiliations.
Moreover, the poll delves into broader attitudes toward immigration policy, revealing a consensus among Americans, irrespective of background, in favor of stricter immigration controls. Nearly 7-in-10 Americans believe that Riley's murder underscores the urgent need for stricter immigration policies, emphasizing concerns over border security and enforcement measures.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Riley's murder, where she went missing after a jog near the University of Georgia campus, have brought attention to Ibarra's immigration history. Arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2022 and subsequently released into the country's interior by Biden's Department of Homeland Security, Ibarra's past encounters with law enforcement, including a prior arrest in New York City and a citation for shoplifting in Athens, Georgia, highlight the complexities of immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies.
The poll findings underscore a growing sentiment among Americans, including a significant portion of GOP voters, Democrats, and swing voters, that Riley's murder underscores the imperative for a more stringent approach to immigration enforcement. This collective frustration and concern reflect broader societal anxieties regarding public safety and immigration policy in the United States.
