The murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston, Texas has ignited a national immigration debate, with prominent Republican figures using the tragic incident to push their agendas. Former President Donald Trump, who spoke with Nungaray’s family prior to the presidential debate, referenced the murder during the event. Senator Ted Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott have both called for the suspects, who are undocumented immigrants, to face the death penalty.
Nungaray’s lifeless body was discovered on June 17, strangled to death in a creek in north Houston. The two suspects in her murder are currently in custody, held on $10 million bonds. In response to this heinous crime, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has announced his intention to advocate for “Jocelyn’s Law,” which would automatically deny bail for individuals charged with capital murder. Senator Joan Huffman has pledged to sponsor the bill in the state senate.
Despite studies from reputable institutions such as Stanford University and the National Academy of Sciences indicating that immigrants are less likely to commit violent crimes compared to native-born individuals, Nungaray’s murder has become a focal point in the immigration debate. Former President Trump has taken to social media, labeling it a “new Biden migrant killing.” During the debate, he expressed his condolences to Nungaray’s mother and condemned the state of the country, stating, “This is horrible what is taking place. What’s taking place in our country, we’re literally an uncivilized country now.”
