Republican lawmakers are calling for a halt on Venezuelan migration into the U.S. following the tragic murder of a 12-year-old girl in Texas. The lawmakers, led by Rep. Troy Nehls, expressed concerns about violent criminals from Venezuela entering the country through various means. Nehls had previously warned about criminals from Venezuela being released from prisons and making their way to the U.S. border.
The recent murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston, Texas, allegedly by two Venezuelan illegal immigrants, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for action. The two suspects, Johan Jose Rangel Martinez and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, face capital murder charges for luring the young girl under a bridge, tying her up, and killing her before disposing of her body in a river. Both men were confirmed to be in the country illegally and had been apprehended by Border Patrol at different times, only to be released pending their immigration court hearings.
Blaming the Biden administration’s policies for such tragedies, Nehls and his colleagues are urging Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas to prevent Venezuelan nationals from entering the U.S. and to deport those who have been released pending immigration proceedings. They are also calling for a complete moratorium on all Venezuelan migration until cooperation with deportation requests is assured.
The issue of deporting illegal immigrants to Venezuela has been complicated after the country stopped accepting deportation flights from the U.S. and Mexico earlier this year. Lawmakers are pushing for increased funding for law enforcement agencies across the country to address the ongoing border crisis, which has become a key concern for voters leading up to the upcoming election.
The Biden administration has defended its approach to immigration, citing a significant drop in illegal crossings and releases since the implementation of new policies. However, Republicans argue that more comprehensive immigration reform and stricter enforcement measures are needed to address the root causes of the issue.
As the debate continues, the tragic death of Jocelyn Nungaray has reignited calls for action to prevent similar incidents in the future. Lawmakers are urging the administration to take decisive steps to protect American citizens and ensure the safety and security of the nation.