Jose Ibarra's past criminal record has come under scrutiny after his conviction in the murder of Laken Riley, a 20-year-old nursing student found dead in February 2024. Ibarra, a Venezuelan national, entered the U.S. illegally in September 2022 and was previously involved in several legal issues, including immigration violations and criminal offenses.
Despite his history, he was able to remain in the U.S. for two years. His latest conviction has led to a life sentence without parole, but his history is raising further questions about the U.S. immigration system and its oversight of dangerous people.
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Here's a look at Jose Ibarra's past criminal record
1) Illegal entry into the U.S. (2022)
Jose Ibarra and his wife, Layling Franco entered the U.S. near El Paso, Texas in September 2022, receiving temporary protected status due to the unstable situation in Venezuela.
After their arrest and release, Franco told the New York Post that they were put on a bus and sent to New York.
2) Endangering a child (2023)
According to the New York Post, Ibarra was arrested in Queens, New York, while making food deliveries. Police took him into custody for allegedly endangering his wife’s 5-year-old son, who was riding on the back of a moped without a helmet.
But, despite being eligible for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainment, he was released by the NYPD before a detainer could be issued. This allowed Ibarra to avoid further immigration enforcement.
3) Alleged theft (2023)
Around a month after Ibarra’s arrest in New York, his brother Diego, who was living in Athens, was involved in a shoplifting incident at a local Walmart. The two were accused of stealing various items, including bacon and clothing.
They were issued citations for misdemeanor theft and allowed to leave without further action, as the authorities did not pursue any additional charges at the time.
Jose Ibarra's repeated release is now under tight scrutiny
According to Fox5 News, Republican lawmakers sharply criticized Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the release of Jose Ibarra.
They accused the agency of unlawfully releasing Ibarra into the U.S. after he was encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on September 8, 2022, and allowed to remain in the country for further processing.
Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., intensified his criticism by referencing Ibarra's parole file. He highlighted that despite Jose Ibarra’s prior child endangerment charge in New York, which was later expunged, he was granted a work permit. Hawley said:
"Nothing is done to this guy. He had a criminal record to start with, he's in the country on illegal grounds. You have falsely and illegally allowed him in. He committed a crime against a child. He's not prosecuted, it's expunged. In November, get this, in November, Ibarra files an application for employment authorization. And unbelievably, on December 9, 2023, it's approved,"
Jose Ibarra's arrest has now sparked a larger immigration debate
President-elect Donald Trump along with several other Republicans are now citing Jose Ibarra's case while urging for stricter immigration and border policies on their social medias. On his Truth Social account, Trump wrote:
"The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes... It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!"
According to The Washington Post, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Republican, said:
"Democrats have blood on their hands for their open border policies."
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, added:
“Jose Ibarra should never have been allowed to enter our country, and he certainly should not have been allowed to stay after shamelessly breaking our laws.”
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