GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – Former President Donald Trump took the opportunity during a campaign event in Michigan to criticize what he described as “Biden’s border bloodbath.” Trump specifically highlighted the tragic case of Ruby Garcia, a 25-year-old woman who was killed by an individual immigration officials say entered the country illegally.
At a news conference in Garcia’s hometown, Trump shared, “She lit up that room, and I’ve heard that from so many people. I spoke to some of her family.” However, Garcia’s sister, acting as a family spokesperson, refuted Trump’s claims, stating that neither Trump nor his campaign had reached out to them. In response to Trump’s focus on illegal immigration in connection to Garcia’s death, Mavi Garcia, the victim’s sister, questioned why attention was not given to American citizens who commit heinous crimes.
The Trump campaign did not provide a response to these remarks, nor did Trump mention speaking with Garcia’s family at a rally in Wisconsin later on. Mavi Garcia confirmed that neither Trump nor his campaign had ever been in contact with the family. Trump has consistently made immigration a central theme of his campaign, often associating the issue with crime and sharing stories of high-profile killings attributed to undocumented immigrants.
While Democrats have pointed out evidence suggesting that undocumented immigrants do not commit more crimes than legal residents, Garcia’s case has been framed as a tragic outcome of domestic violence. Authorities revealed that the accused, Brandon Ortiz-Vite, had a previous arrest record and had been deported by the Trump administration in September 2020 before reentering the United States.
In contrast to the response from Garcia’s family, the parents of Laken Riley, a young woman killed in Georgia by an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, have expressed support for Trump. During his Michigan event, Trump highlighted both Garcia’s and Riley’s cases, emphasizing the need for stricter immigration policies. Trump reiterated his commitment to addressing undocumented immigration and implementing widespread deportations.
As the political discourse surrounding Garcia’s and Riley’s deaths continues, family members have primarily focused on honoring their memories and advocating for justice. Mavi Garcia, in response to Trump’s comments, expressed shock at his statements and emphasized the importance of remembering her sister’s life above all else. Ortiz-Vite, now facing murder charges, has become a symbol of the broader conversation around immigration policy and its implications.