Today, U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn of Texas announced that their legislation to rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in honor of Jocelyn Nungaray has been signed into law by President Trump. The bill, known as the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act, follows an executive order from President Trump renaming the refuge near Houston.
Senator Cruz expressed his gratitude towards Congress and President Trump for enacting the law, stating, “I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues in Congress and to President Trump for signing into law the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act. This bill will rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s memory. Jocelyn was murdered by illegal aliens, an unspeakable crime that should have never occurred. We have a duty to commemorate her life alongside her family.”
Senator Cornyn also commented on the occasion: “Last year, Jocelyn Nungaray’s life was stolen from her by dangerous illegal immigrants who were wrongfully let into the country by the Biden-Harris administration, and today we ensure her life and legacy are never forgotten. I want to thank President Trump for swiftly signing my legislation to permanently rename of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s honor and was proud to join today’s White House bill signing ceremony.”
The legislation was led in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Brian Babin.
Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl from Houston, Texas, was tragically murdered on June 17, 2024. Two individuals allegedly associated with a gang have been charged with her murder. In recognition of her love for animals and proximity to Houston, it is considered fitting that this wildlife refuge be renamed after her.
The refuge spans 39,000 acres along Texas’s Gulf Coast and serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds and diverse wildlife under management by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of its conservation efforts.
President Trump’s Executive Order 14229 initiated this name change on March 4, 2025. The official renaming followed shortly after with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s implementation order on March 7th. This new law ensures that future administrations cannot reverse this decision.
