As the first presidential debate approaches this Thursday, the tragic murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nangaray in Houston is becoming a flashpoint in the national immigration debate.
Both sides are seizing on the incident and trying to use it to their own advantage in an increasingly heated political climate.
Johan Jose Martinez Rangel, 22, and Franklin Pena, 26, have been arrested and charged with murder in the death of Jocelyn, whose body was found strangled in a creek north of Houston earlier this week, sparking intense scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding her murder.
On Friday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said Martinez Rangel and Peña, two illegal immigrants from Venezuela, had been detained by the U.S. Border Patrol and subsequently released; one of them had been released just weeks before the murder. According to ICE, both men had entered the U.S. illegally and were arrested near El Paso, Texas. They were released on bail orders with notices to appear, but neither was held for long.
Following the incident, a White House spokesperson offered condolences to Jocelyn Nangaray's family: “Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Jocelyn Nangaray. We cannot comment on ongoing law enforcement cases, but fundamentally, anyone found guilty of such a heinous and shocking crime must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case has already become a key issue in the ongoing immigration debate.
Former President Donald Trump blamed the Biden administration's border policies for the girl's death. Trump shared Oli London's post about Jocelyn's murder on Truth Social, blaming the administration's immigration policies for her tragic death.
“Another immigrant murder by Biden is happening. It's only getting worse and it's all because of Evil Joe Biden. He is a disgrace to the presidency and a disgrace to America. I look forward to seeing him at the fake debate on Thursday. Let's make him explain why he allowed millions of people to enter our country illegally!” Trump posted.
Biden campaign spokeswoman Lauren Hitt responded by criticizing Trump's tactics, saying, “Donald Trump is endangering the safety of the American people by blocking a border agreement.”
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All Rights Reserved.
