WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Once again, immigration is a hot topic in Georgia and across the nation after the death of a 22-year-old student in Athens.
26-year-old Jose Ibarra – a Venezuelan immigrant who authorities say entered the country illegally – is charged with murder in the death of Laken Riley last week.
As a mom, Carolina Arriaga says her death hit hard.
“My son is in the medical field, so it is kind of hard to hear that kind of news,” she said.
As a Venezuelan immigrant of 25 years, hearing who allegedly killed Riley hit her harder.
“To see that it was a country man – from my own home country – it was disheartening,” Arriaga explained.
Authorities say that Ibarra is from Venezuela and entered the country illegally. She says she's worried that may skew how people perceive other immigrants and the latino community.
“Crime and hate comes in all colors and shapes. It is not in the nature of everyone,” Arriaga said.
Arriaga says Venezuelans have a reputation for being happy.
“They are constantly laughing and anything is an excuse to gather, and to break bread together and to dance,” she explained.
However, due to Ibarra's arrest, a different kind of reputation is being spread. She says she's already seen it on social media.
“They say that Venezuelans are not welcome. That Venezuelans are not as good as they should be, they shouldn’t have a place here,” she said.
Arriaga says that hurts her and her community.
“A lot of folks that are coming over try to make a place for themselves in the world and where they can see some kind of freedom,” she explained. “In general, we are very hard-working folks. We definitely agree that it [Ibarra] was an isolated incident. That’s not the heart of Latinos in general, let alone Venezuelans.”
Arriaga says lawmakers using Ibarra's legal status to push immigration policies is irrelevant.
“Very legal individuals have done worse all across the nation and unfortunately it doesn't have the same spotlight unless it is about something different, like interracial groups,” Arriaga said.
She says this is a time to come together.
“I just pray that the Riley family finds peace in the justice and trust in the justice system to do what's right.”
This month, Gov. Brian Kemp announced he's sending more troops to the southern border.
The governor called the border situation a security and humanitarian crisis. He said roughly 15- 20 Georgia National Guard troops will head to Texas this spring.
They will assist with the construction of a forward command post on the border