Family Supports Legislation After Tragic Death
Family members of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old Houston girl allegedly killed by two Venezuelan men who entered the U.S. illegally, have announced their support for new legislation that would significantly restrict the ability of federal immigration authorities to release detained immigrants. The girl’s body was found in a creek on June 17, and a medical examiner concluded she had been strangled.
Details of the Crime and Arrests
Venezuelan nationals Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, have been charged with capital murder in Jocelyn’s death. Both men entered the U.S. illegally near El Paso earlier this year and were arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol. They were later released under ICE’s Alternatives to Detention programs, which use GPS monitoring and other measures to ensure compliance with court appearances.
Legislative Response
In response to the killing, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and U.S. Representative Troy Nehls, both Republicans from Texas, have introduced the “Justice for Jocelyn Act.” This legislation aims to prevent the release of detained immigrants if there are available beds in detention centers. Additionally, released immigrants would face continuous GPS monitoring and a nightly curfew, with any violations leading to immediate deportation.
Migrants’ Rights Advocates’ Opposition
Migrants’ rights groups have condemned the proposed legislation. Nayna Gupta, director of policy for the National Immigrant Justice Center, argued that the bill seeks to exploit a tragic incident to expand the immigration enforcement system and demonize immigrant communities. Gupta highlighted the increasing rates of deaths, abuse, and medical neglect in detention centers and argued that the bill’s mandatory GPS monitoring would unnecessarily expand ICE’s surveillance.
Broader Immigration Debate
The proposed legislation has reignited the national debate over immigration policies. Recent cases involving immigrants who entered the country illegally and were charged with crimes have been used by Republicans to criticize President Biden’s immigration approach. Migrants’ rights groups continue to advocate for less reliance on detention, citing studies that show immigrants are less likely to commit violent crimes than native-born citizens.
