NW Valley Times

State Representative Ben Toma criticized all the U.S. Representatives that voted against the Laken Riley bill, which would require the detention and deportation of any illegal immigrant caught committing a crime. 

“Good for the House Republicans,” Toma said in a post on X. “Shame on the Democrats who voted against this bill that protects Americans.”

Laken Riley was a student studying nursing at University of Georgia. She was found dead in May of 2023 after going jogging near campus. According to a CNN article, police were able to identify her murderer using security footage from around campus. Riley was a dean’s list student and a member of UGA’s Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was set to graduate in 2025. 

Murder suspect Jose Antonio Ibarra entered the United States illegally in September of 2022, according to the NY Post.

Ibarra was arrested by the NYPD in September of 2023 for failing to protect his child by carrying them without a helmet on his scooter, however he was released before ICE was able to step in. Yavapai News reported that Ibarra then separated from his wife, who claims they got married to improve their asylum applications, and moved to Georgia with his brother. 

Toma represents Arizona as State Representative of District 27. He is running for Arizona State Representative (District 27) in the state's Nov. 5, 2024 general election.