The White House has finally reacted to the alleged murder of a Georgia nursing student by an illegal immigrant with at least one prior arrest, which some Republicans are blaming on the Biden administration's failures to secure the border.

"We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley. People should be held to the fullest extent of the law if they are found guilty," a statement from the White House read.

Riley's body was found Thursday afternoon on the campus of the University of Georgia (UGA) after she went jogging there on Thursday morning.

Her body had "visible injuries" and it was later determined that she died from blunt force trauma.

Arrests made

Jose Ibarra was arrested for her murder after police viewed surveillance footage that they said contained enough to convict him. They also searched his home.

His brother Diego was arrested for presenting a fake green card to police, but may have had involvement in the murder.

Both brothers were arrested at different times after entering the U.S. but were later released. They entered the U.S. illegally but were allowed to stay on asylum claims that are still pending.

Diego lived within five minutes of the location where Riley was murdered, and he was briefly employed at a dining hall at UGA until his documentation was shown to be fake.

Border visits planned

Both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden plan to visit the border on Thursday.

Biden is showing a particular interest in the border as his poll numbers drop on the issue, but still refuses to institute executive orders that could improve the situation.

He has recently tried to blame Republicans in the Senate for rejecting a bill the White House claims could improve border security, but in fact would allow up to 5,000 illegal border crossings per day before anything was done to shut it down.

After Trump came out against the bill, Biden and Democrats were able to blame him for its failure and claim that he killed it to help his campaign.

Bring back Trump border policies

Trump has said he would reinstitute policies that he put in place during his first term in office including Remain in Mexico and resuming building of a border wall.

Trump's policies significantly reduced illegal border crossings due to their effectiveness and their discouraging effect on those who want to come to the U.S.