As the first presidential debate approaches this Thursday, the tragic murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston is becoming a flashpoint in the national immigration debate.
Both political sides are seizing on the case, poised to use it for their gain in the heated political landscape.
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Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Pena, 26, have been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection to Jocelyn’s death. The young girl was found strangled in a north Houston creek earlier this week, and the circumstances surrounding her murder have sparked intense scrutiny.
On Friday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed that Martinez-Rangel and Pena, both undocumented immigrants from Venezuela, had been detained and subsequently released by the U.S. Border Patrol—one of whom just weeks before the murder. According to ICE, both men entered the U.S. illegally and were apprehended near El Paso, Texas. They were released on orders of recognizance with notices to appear in court, but neither man was detained for long.
In response to the incident, a White House spokesperson expressed condolences to Jocelyn’s family: “Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Jocelyn Nungaray. We cannot comment on active law enforcement cases. But fundamentally, anyone found guilty of this type of heinous and shocking crime should be held accountable, to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case has already become a significant point of contention in the ongoing immigration debate.
Former President Donald Trump has attributed the girl’s death to the Biden administration’s border policies. Trump shared a post on Truth Social from Oli London about Jocelyn’s murder, blaming the administration’s immigration stance for her tragic death.
“We have a new Biden Migrant Killing - It’s only going to get worse, and it’s all Crooked Joe Biden’s fault. He’s a disgrace to the Office of President, he’s a disgrace to America. I look forward to seeing him at the Fake Debate on Thursday. Let him explain why he has allowed MILLIONS of people to come into our Country illegally!” Trump posted.
Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, responded by criticizing Trump’s approach: “Donald Trump is making Americans less safe by blocking the border deal.”