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President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an government order to rename the Anahuac Nationwide Wildlife Refuge close to Galveston Bay in honor of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old Houston lady who was strangled and killed by two males accused of coming into the nation illegally.
Nungaray’s demise final 12 months shortly sparked outrage amongst Republican lawmakers who’ve since referred to as for added measures to harden the southern border and backed border laws in honor of the lady.
RELATED: Senator Ted Cruz introduces laws referred to as Justice for Jocelyn Act
Nungaray’s mom, Alexis Nungaray, has been a staunch advocate for elevated border safety for the reason that demise of her daughter, repeatedly standing alongside Republican politicians of their name for stronger measures.
On Tuesday, she attended Trump’s deal with to the Home chamber, when the president introduced he would rename the 34,000-acre wildlife refuge east of Houston.
“The demise of this stunning 12-year-old lady and the agony of her mom and household touched our whole nation vastly,” Trump stated. “Alexis, I promised that we’d all the time bear in mind your daughter. your magnificent daughter and earlier tonight I signed an order retaining my phrase to you.”
The manager order signed Tuesday cited Jocelyn Nungaray’s love for animals and “ardour for guaranteeing that that they had properties.”
The Secretary of the Inside might be charged with offering steering to make sure federal references to the Jocelyn Nungaray Nationwide Wildlife Refuge replicate the renaming, together with on company maps, contracts and different paperwork, in accordance with the order.
“One factor I’ve realized about Jocelyn is that she cherished animals a lot,” Trump stated. “She cherished nature.”
Legislation enforcement officers final 12 months stated Nungaray snuck out of her household’s house the evening of June 17 and walked to a comfort retailer down the road from her dwelling, the place she was noticed on surveillance video with two Venezuelan males.
Her physique was found the subsequent morning in a shallow creek under a bridge at 400 West Rankin Rd. Johan Martinez-Rangel, 21, and Franklin Peña, 26, have been charged with capital homicide and sexual assault within the case.
Shortly after her demise, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that the 2 males had entered the nation close to El Paso with out inspection, parole or admission by immigration officers. Since then, the homicide has garnered nationwide consideration.
Outgoing Harris County District Legal professional Kim Ogg final 12 months stated her workplace deliberate to search the demise penalty towards the boys.
