The horrific murder of a 12-year-old girl in Texas, allegedly by two Venezuelan illegal immigrants in Houston, has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about the Biden administration’s border policies. The incident comes as Venezuela has continued to block deportation flights of Venezuelans from the U.S., further complicating the situation.
Two illegal immigrants, Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, face capital murder charges in the death of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. They are accused of luring her under a bridge, tying her up, and killing her before throwing her body into a river.
The two men were apprehended by Border Patrol in March and May, respectively, but were released on an order of recognizance pending their immigration court hearings. Their release came after Venezuela stopped accepting deportation flights from the U.S. and Mexico in January, a move that has further strained the already challenging border situation.
Despite attempts by the Biden administration to increase the number of repatriation flights to Venezuela, the flights remain on hold. This has led to concerns that the administration’s immigration strategy is not effective in deterring illegal immigration, especially given the growing number of Venezuelans arriving at the U.S. border.
While the number of Venezuelan encounters at the southern border has decreased since the highs of last year, the U.S. continues to face challenges related to Venezuelan migrants. A Venezuelan illegal immigrant was recently accused of shooting two NYPD officers in Queens, while another was charged with the violent murder of a Georgia nursing student.
Adding to the concerns, officials and lawmakers have repeatedly sounded the alarm about Tren de Aragua – a violent street gang emerging from Venezuela with an increased presence in the United States. The gang, known as TdA, is said to specialize in extortion, kidnapping, murder, and sex trafficking, and has been linked to organized crime.
Federal authorities have warned that the gang is trying to establish itself in the U.S., where police are already linking it to organized crime. The FBI has also warned that the gang could team up with the bloodthirsty MS-13.
Recently, Border Patrol apprehended 10 illegal immigrants with ties to Tda, further highlighting the concerning presence of the gang in the U.S. The apprehension underscores the need for increased vigilance and enforcement measures to combat the growing threat posed by the gang.
National Border Patrol Council VP Chris Cabrera has criticized the Biden administration’s border policies, calling them ineffective and dangerous. He highlights the ongoing crisis at the border and the need for a stronger approach to immigration enforcement. The murder of Jocelyn Nungaray serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by illegal immigration and the need for comprehensive solutions to address the border security crisis.
