Laken Riley, a nursing student, was found dead near a lake on the University of Georgia campus on Feb. 22, 2024. (Allyson Phillips/Facebook)
Her sister, Lauren Phillips, told Fox News Digital that she will always speak out in honor and remembrance of her older sister, and will continue to advocate for "securing our borders."
"I think it’s important that we keep reminding people of the importance of securing our borders and what can happen when it’s not secure," Phillips told Fox News Digital.
"We definitely feel hope – we just need to keep talking about it and keep everyone aware of what happens when nothing is done," she continued. "And I think a lot has been done so far, and I am grateful for that, but there is still a lot to be done."
Laken Riley was brutally assaulted and murdered by an illegal migrant while on a morning run in February 2024. (Laken Riley/Facebook)
The measure directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants arrested or charged with theft-related crimes, or those accused of assaulting a police officer. The law also allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their citizens because of illegal immigration.
But Phillips told Fox News Digital that despite changes to federal law, it is "terrifying to have to walk around the same city where such a tragic thing happened to my sister."
Riley was murdered near the University of Georgia campus in Athens, which is considered an unofficial sanctuary city.
"The laws that were not put in place are still not put in place in a city where something so tragic happened," Phillips said. "I thought what happened to Laken would change that, but nothing has changed there, so I think continuing to talk about it, not backing down, not staying quiet, hopefully, will do something."
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In addition to being vocal on immigration and honoring the life of her sister, Phillips said she and her family have created the Laken Hope Foundation.
"I thank God every day that I have the space to share, and that he gave me Laken for the time that he did, and I thank him for her faith and his faithfulness to know that none of this compares to what we’re going to be given and where she is."
Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/laken-rileys-sister-says-family-has-hope-after-trump-immigration-changes-still-lot-done