Georgia governor: "We will not let ourselves forget Laken"

 Georgia Governor Brian Kemp called Laken Riley’s death “senseless” and applauded the bravery shown by the Riley family during the murder trial, while also criticizing current immigration policy, in a statement after the conviction of Jose Ibarra.

Kemp, a Republican, has previously been outspoken about Riley’s murder. In a statement Wednesday Kemp said, although he is glad that justice has been delivered, Riley “should still be with us today.”

“We will not let ourselves forget Laken or stop working to ensure her memory lives on,” he said in the statement.

In March, Kemp signed immigration enforcement legislation pushed in the wake of the nursing student’s death.

On Wednesday, he reiterated previous comments that Riley’s killer should haver never been allowed to enter the United States.

“Open border policies failed Laken Riley, and today’s verdict is a reminder that the safety of our communities must remain our number one priority. While our state has taken considerable actions to address the impact of the border crisis, I will not waver in supporting efforts that secure our border and keep this state and our nation safe.”

Data reviewed by CNN suggests there is no significant connection between illegal immigration and violent crime.