In a recent turn of events, President Joe Biden expressed regret for using the term "illegal" during his State of the Union address to describe the suspected killer of University of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley. Meanwhile, his potential Republican rival for the 2024 election, Donald Trump, seized the opportunity to rally against Biden's immigration policies, blaming them for Riley's tragic death.

Biden's use of the term "illegal" received criticism from within his own party, prompting him to clarify his position. During an interview with MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart in Atlanta, Biden stated, "I shouldn't have used illegal - it's undocumented." The President's acknowledgment comes amidst rising frustrations over his administration's handling of the US-Mexico border, with record numbers of migrants entering the country.

While campaigning in Rome, Georgia, Trump took the opportunity to criticize Biden's response. Addressing a crowd that included Riley's family and friends, the former president remarked, "Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Laken's murderer an illegal. Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer." The murder case has become a central focal point for Republicans, who have used it to highlight their concerns about the Biden administration's handling of border security.

The suspect in Riley's murder is reportedly a person from Venezuela who entered the US illegally. During his speech in Rome, Trump blamed Biden's immigration policies for allowing "thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals" into the country, claiming that Riley would still be alive if Biden had not weakened border security.

Trump, who made immigration a centerpiece of his previous campaign, pledged to undertake the largest deportation effort in American history if elected. He contrasted his own rhetoric with Biden's remarks, stating, "I say he was an illegal alien. He was an illegal immigrant. He was an illegal migrant." Trump accused Biden of having "no intention of stopping the deadly invasion that stole precious Laken's beautiful American life."

Earlier this year, Biden attempted to make changes to US immigration law, including measures to limit migration. A bipartisan compromise emerged, which aimed to overhaul the asylum system, provide faster and tougher enforcement, and allocate $20 billion in funding. However, Republican lawmakers quickly killed the deal after Trump expressed his opposition. Despite the setback, Biden has expressed frustration with the lack of progress in devising options that can pass muster with federal courts. He continues to call on Congress to take up the immigration issue again, accusing Republicans of prioritizing election-year discussions over meaningful action.

The murder of Laken Riley has undoubtedly become a key campaign issue, highlighting the deep divide between the Biden administration and its Republican opponents on immigration policies. As the 2024 campaign looms, it remains to be seen how both parties will navigate the challenging terrain of border security and immigration reform.