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Biden says her name — Laken Riley — at urging of GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

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1 year ago

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WASHINGTON (AP) — It was what the Republicans demanded, but never expected.

President Joe Biden said her name.

“Laken Riley.”

Even before Biden started speaking, the topic of border security was certain to rise as one of the most tense moments in the State of the Union address.

Biden was confronted as he walked into the House chamber by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the hardline Republican, decked out in a red Trump MAGA hat and a t-shirt emblazoned with the message, which was also on a button she pressed into his hand.

“Say her name,” it said, the phrase evoking the language used by activists after the death of George Floyd and others at the hands of police.

The death of Laken Riley, a nursing student from Georgia, has become a rallying cry for Republicans, a tragedy that they say encompasses the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S-Mexico border amid a record surge of immigrants entering the country. An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally has been arrested and charged with murder.

Midway through the speech, Biden started talking about border security and called on Congress to pass legislation to secure the border and modernize the country’s outdated immigration laws, praising the bipartisan effort that collapsed when his likely Republican presidential rival, Donald Trump, opposed it.

Greene interjected, “Say her name!”

The congresswoman from Georgia yelled, pointing a finger, and jabbing it toward Biden.

And then Biden did just that.

He held up the white button, and said: “Laken Riley.”

Biden spoke briefly of her death and he made reference to his own family’s trauma — his first wife and young daughter were killed in 1972 after an automobile crash. His son, Beau, died of brain cancer in 2015.

And then he urged Congress to work together to pass a border security compromise.

“Get this bill done!” Biden said.

He even called on Trump to stop fighting against any border deal.

“We can do it together,” he said.

With immigration becoming a top issue in the presidential election, Republicans are using nearly every tool at their disposal — including impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas — to condemn how the president has handled the border.

Hours earlier, the House voted to pass the “Laken Riley Act,” which would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain unauthorized migrants who are accused of theft.

Authorities have arrested on murder and assault charges Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case. He has not yet entered a plea to the charges.

Trump has used Riley’s death to slam Biden’s handling of the border and at one event this month told the crown that the president would never say her name.

Biden has also adopted some of the language of Trump on the border, and on Thursday night, he called the man charged with murdering Riley an “illegal.”

That was disappointing to Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “I wish he hadn’t engaged with Marjorie Taylor Greene and used the word illegal,” she told the AP after the speech.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, the speaker emeritus, said afterward on CNN, “Now he should have said ‘undocumented,’ but it’s not a big thing.”

Greene had handed out the buttons earlier in the day. Biden also looked up to the gallery where many guests were seated, but Riley’s parents were not there.

Rep. Mike Collins, a Georgia Republican, said this week that he had invited Riley’s parents to the State of the Union address, but they had “chosen to stay home as they grieve the loss of their daughter.”

__

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Jill Colvin contributed to this story.

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Judge rules pro-Palestinian student and permanent US resident cannot be detained

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4 weeks ago

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March 27, 2025

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Korean American Columbia University student, who is a legal permanent U.S. resident and has participated in pro-Palestinian protests, cannot be detained by federal immigration officials for now as she fights the administration of President Donald Trump over attempts to deport her, a judge ruled on Tuesday.

Yunseo Chung, 21, has lived in the U.S. since she was seven, and sued the Trump administration on Monday to prevent her deportation. Her legal team was informed this month that her lawful permanent resident status was being revoked, according to court records in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Trump has pledged to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters and accused them of supporting Hamas militants, of posing hurdles for U.S. foreign policy and of being antisemitic.

Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the administration wrongly conflates their criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights with antisemitism and support for Hamas. Human rights advocates condemn the government’s moves.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security alleged Chung engaged in concerning conduct, including when she was previously arrested by police during a protest at Barnard College that DHS termed “pro-Hamas.”

Chung has not yet been arrested by federal officials. Immigration agents made multiple visits to her residences looking for her.

U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order against the government that prevents Chung from being detained, court records showed.

Actions against Chung form part of a pattern of government efforts against pro-Palestinian voices critical of Israel’s military assault on Gaza, her lawsuit said.

Columbia protester Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested this month and is legally challenging his detention, is also a lawful permanent resident. Trump, without evidence, accused Khalil of supporting Hamas, which Khalil denies.

Badar Khan Suri, an Indian studying at Georgetown University, was detained last week. A federal judge barred Suri’s deportation.

U.S. officials have asked Cornell University student Momodou Taal to turn himself in, his attorneys say, adding his visa was being revoked.

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U-VOL Foundation Celebrates 10th Anniversary Gala to Advance Global Health Equity

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4 weeks ago

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March 27, 2025

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The U-VOL Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to bridging healthcare gaps in underserved communities, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary Fundraising Gala on Saturday, April 12th, at The Bowery House & Gardens in Katy. This milestone event, themed “Healing Through Unity,” will bring together healthcare professionals, business leaders, philanthropists, and advocates to support life-changing initiatives in maternal health, clean water access, and global health workforce development.

Hosted by Houston journalist and media personality MC Laura O, the event will feature a keynote address from Dr. Sarah E. Gray, Chief Nursing Officer of The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing — the second-largest nursing organization in the world, with approximately 135,000 active members across more than 100 countries. Guests will also enjoy an engaging evening with:

Performance by special guest Makeda Tene, a Grammy-nominated artist, actress, and author

A gourmet dinner, live entertainment, a vendor fair showcasing women founders and leaders of color, and a live auction featuring exclusive items—including a one-of-a-kind live painting created during the event

The presentation of the prestigious DAISY Award for Advancing Health Equity, honoring nurses making a global impact

   “This gala is not just a celebration of our past 10 years—it’s a call to action for the future,” said Dr. Faith Adole, Founder and President of U-VOL Foundation. “Healing Through Unity is about bringing people together to create real change. Every dollar raised will directly support our mission to provide healthcare access, maternal health resources, and clean water solutions to communities that need it most.”

The U-VOL Foundation 10th Anniversary Gala is expected to draw leaders in healthcare, philanthropy, business, and advocacy who share a passion for global health equity, and the organization invites all Houstonians to be a part of the experience. Tickets are available now at www.u-volfoundation.org/gala25. Sponsorship opportunities are also open for organizations looking to support this impactful cause.

To keep up with the latest updates on U-Vol Foundations’ 10th Anniversary Gala and the organization’s upcoming project, please visit the official website and follow the organization’s official social media page on Instagram (@UVolFoundationdation).

Founded by Dr. Faith Adole, U-VOL Foundation is a U.S.-based international nonprofit dedicated to bridging healthcare gaps in underserved communities worldwide. Through medical outreach, health education, clean water initiatives, and women’s empowerment, U-VOL is committed to sustainable, community-driven solutions that promote health equity and empower the next generation of global health leaders. For more information, visit www.u-volfoundation.org.

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Transformational Leadership Colloquium Returns to Greater Houston Area March 29th

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4 weeks ago

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March 27, 2025

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In the world of global leadership, transformation is the bedrock of progress, impact, results, and legacy. There’s absolutely no amplification for success without including transformational leadership in the complete equation. Are you ready for your ultimate transformation in order to become a more effective leader?

After a stellar debut in Houston last year, Legacy Consults (a global consulting agency with a focus on providing “neuroscience-based solutions to boost team performance and drive organizational success”) will present the second edition of the Transformational Leadership Colloquium on Saturday, March 29th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at RCCG King’s Palace (5371 E. 5th Street) in Katy. The theme for this year’s conference is “Architects of the Future: Execution-Driven Leadership”.

Furthermore, the colloquium aligns with the organization’s ongoing focus on “fostering a borderless community of transformational leaders who don’t just adapt to change, but actively create it.” This year’s colloquium will feature award-winning neurologist, researcher and the colloquium convener,  Dr. Niyi Borire, alongside confirmed co-hosts Debola Deji-Kurumni (founder and CEO of Immerse Coaching) and purpose coach, minister and author Dr. Samuel Ekundayo.

Additionally confirmed panelists and workshop facilitators for this year’s colloquium include Dr. Harry Akinola, Bralade Koroye-Emenanjo, Pastor Tunde Badru, and Dana Dawsey. Following the main delegation of the colloquium, an exclusive VIP session will take place at 4:00 PM  for individuals seeking deeper, high-level engagement. The private session will grant direct access to some of the most influential minds in leadership.

Attendees can expect to gain valuable knowledge and guidance to advance their leadership skills through all of the curated presentations, networking activities, and crafted professional workshops. Furthermore, according to the event organizers, the Transformational Leadership Colloquium will help all attendees gain:

  • Cutting-edge leadership strategies to navigate complexity and change
  • Master-level mentorship skills to develop and empower the next generation
  • Vision execution frameworks to turn ideas into lasting institutional change
  • Powerful global networks for collaboration, growth, and long-term impact
  • Self-awareness and resilience to lead with clarity and confidence

Established in 2023, the Transformational Leadership Colloquium kicked off its inaugural run in Dallas, Texas, and has been featured in other notable cities, including Atlanta, Vancouver, and Regina, Canada. This year, the conference will also take place in Toronto, Canada, on April 5th. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for parking, registration check-in, and seating assignments.

Tickets for this year’s colloquium are now available on the organization’s official website. To learn more about the Transformational Leadership Colloquium and Legacy Consults, please visit the official website online at www.TheTransformativeLeader.org and the official social media page on Instagram (@LegacyConsults).

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