Brothers of Laken Riley’s Killer Face Deportation Orders

Brothers of Laken Riley’s Killer Face Deportation Orders \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Two brothers of convicted murderer Jose Ibarra and their former roommate will be deported after pleading guilty to possessing fake green cards. Diego Ibarra received a four-year prison sentence before ICE custody, while the others face immediate deportation. Authorities suspect Diego’s connection to Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang.

Laken Riley Killer’s Brothers Face Deportation Quick Looks

• Brothers of Jose Ibarra, killer of Laken Riley, to be deported.
• Diego, Argenis Ibarra, and roommate Rosbeli Flores-Bello had fake green cards.
• Diego Ibarra received a four-year federal prison sentence.
• He will be transferred to ICE for deportation after prison.
• Argenis and Flores-Bello were sentenced to time served.
• Both will be immediately deported by ICE, authorities said.
• Counterfeit Social Security cards were also found in their apartment.
• Diego Ibarra gave a fake green card to police investigating Riley’s murder.
• Officials suspect Diego’s affiliation with Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
• Tattoos and social media posts linked Diego to the gang.

Deep Look

The two brothers of the Venezuelan man convicted of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, along with their former roommate, are facing deportation after pleading guilty to possessing counterfeit green cards, federal authorities announced. The deportation orders come as part of an ongoing immigration enforcement response linked to a murder case that has become a heated topic in national immigration debates.

Jose Ibarra, 27, was convicted in November of murdering 22-year-old Laken Riley and received a life sentence without parole. His conviction not only shocked the Athens, Georgia community but also fueled nationwide controversy regarding immigration policy. Following his arrest, investigators soon encountered additional immigration violations tied to his family and their circle.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Diego Ibarra, Jose’s 29-year-old brother, was taken into custody after presenting a counterfeit green card to a police officer investigating the February 2024 killing. Diego later pleaded guilty in July to two counts of possessing fraudulent identification documents and was sentenced on Wednesday to four years in federal prison. Once his sentence is complete, he will be transferred into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation proceedings.

The investigation further uncovered that another brother, 25-year-old Argenis Ibarra, and the Ibarra brothers’ former roommate, 29-year-old Rosbeli Flores-Bello, also possessed counterfeit green cards. Federal agents found both fake green cards and counterfeit Social Security cards in the apartment the three men shared with Jose Ibarra.

Argenis Ibarra and Flores-Bello pleaded guilty in December to one count each of possessing a fraudulent document. On Wednesday, both men were sentenced to time served and ordered to be immediately handed over to ICE for deportation. While authorities did not provide specific details about the deportation process, they confirmed that all three individuals will be removed from the U.S.

In a striking revelation, federal authorities stated that they believe Diego Ibarra is affiliated with the notorious Venezuelan criminal organization known as Tren de Aragua. This gang, which has gained infamy throughout South America and beyond for its involvement in violent crimes and trafficking, has increasingly become a concern for law enforcement agencies in the U.S.

The suspicions about Diego’s gang ties are based on multiple tattoos and social media activity that depict him wearing clothing and making gestures commonly associated with Tren de Aragua. Authorities are closely monitoring potential links between Venezuelan migrants and this criminal network as the gang attempts to extend its influence beyond South American borders.

The murder of Laken Riley sent shockwaves across Georgia and the United States, reigniting debate over the handling of undocumented immigrants and the presence of foreign nationals with criminal backgrounds in American communities. Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University’s Athens campus, was found dead after reportedly going for a run. Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant, was quickly arrested, with evidence leading to his murder conviction.

The subsequent investigation into Ibarra’s family and associates revealed a troubling pattern of immigration fraud. The use of counterfeit green cards and Social Security documents has raised further alarm about the challenges U.S. immigration enforcement faces when vetting new arrivals and tracking individuals with criminal ties.

Diego Ibarra’s connection to Tren de Aragua, if confirmed, highlights growing concerns about transnational criminal organizations infiltrating U.S. borders via migrant channels. U.S. authorities have expressed fears that without stronger border controls and vetting, criminal elements from dangerous groups may gain footholds within American communities.

Federal officials are continuing to monitor the Ibarra family and others linked to the murder case. The swift sentencing and deportation orders reflect a broader push to crack down on immigration violations connected to violent crime. ICE is expected to oversee the deportation process, though specifics on timing and final destinations have not been disclosed.

As the case continues to make headlines, lawmakers and immigration advocates remain divided over the policy implications. The tragedy of Laken Riley’s murder, compounded by the exposure of fraudulent documents and suspected gang affiliations, has become a rallying point for stricter immigration enforcement measures in the United States.

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