Who is Jocelyn Nungaray? Mom invited to Trump’s Congressional speech
Wildlife refuge renamed for teen murdered by Venezuelan gang
President Donald Trump invited Alexis Nungaray from Houston to attend his speech to Congress Tuesday night. Her daughter, Jocelyn, was 12 years old when she was murdered.
HOUSTON -
President Donald Trump invited Alexis Nungaray from Houston to attend his speech to Congress Tuesday night. Her daughter, Jocelyn, was 12 years old when she was murdered.
"Here tonight is a woman I have gotten to know, Alexis Nungaray from Houston. Wonderful woman," Trump said. "The death of this beautiful 12-year-old girl and the agony of her mother and family touched our entire nation greatly."
Trump said Tuesday night he renamed a national wildlife refuge in the Galveston Bay area after Jocelyn after learning she loved animals and nature.
He continued: "Alexis, I promised that we would always remember your daughter, your magnificent daughter. And earlier tonight I signed an order keeping my word to you."
Who was Jocelyn Nungaray?
In December, prosecutors in Texas announced that they would seek the death penalty against two Venezuelan men who are accused of killing a 12-year-old Houston girl after they had entered the U.S. illegally.
FILE - An attendee places a candle near a photo of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, during a candlelight vigil for her on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
The death of Jocelyn Nungaray was among several cases this year that became flashpoints in the debate over the nation’s immigration policies. Nungaray’s mother campaigned for Trump, calling for better control of the border in the wake of her daughter’s death.
Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, were each charged with capital murder for Nungaray’s June 16 death. Martinez-Rangel and Peña each remained jailed on $10 million bonds.