How a Georgia nursing student's killing reached Biden's State of the Union

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March 8th, 2024

President Joe Biden holds a Laken Riley button as he delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Thursday March 7, 2024.

Andrew Harnik / Andrew Harnik

A heated debate over immigration in Georgia made its way onto an even bigger stage this week: President Joe Biden’s State of the Union.

As Biden addressed the southern border in his speech, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shouted from the chamber and pressed Biden to, “Say her name.”

Greene was referring to Laken Riley, a 22 year-old nursing student found dead on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens last month. A Venezuelan man who authorities say entered the U.S. illegally has been charged with her murder.