U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, along with Congressman Brian Babin, have introduced the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act. This legislation aims to make permanent President Trump’s Executive Order that renamed the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Houston, Texas, as the Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge.
Senator Cornyn expressed his support for the bill by stating, “Jocelyn Nungaray was taken from this world far too soon at the hands of brutal killers who were in the U.S. illegally due to President Biden’s open-border policies, and her legacy deserves to live on forever.” He emphasized his pride in leading this legislative effort alongside Congressman Babin.
Senator Cruz added that “the murder of Jocelyn Nungaray by illegal aliens should never have happened,” and he is committed to ensuring justice for her family. He noted that codifying President Trump’s order into law would memorialize Jocelyn’s life and urged colleagues to pass the bill promptly.
Congressman Babin highlighted that “Jocelyn’s murder was a devastating reminder of the consequences of an unsecured border.” He believes renaming the refuge honors Jocelyn’s love for animals and nature while ensuring her spirit lives on in a peaceful setting.
The background of this initiative stems from a tragic event on June 17, 2024, when 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was murdered in Houston. Two individuals allegedly associated with a gang have been charged with her murder. The proximity of her hometown makes it fitting for the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to bear her name.
The refuge itself spans 39,000 acres along the Texas Gulf Coast and serves as a habitat for migratory birds and various wildlife species. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it contributes significantly to coastal conservation efforts while offering public recreation and environmental education opportunities.
President Trump signed Executive Order 14229 on March 4, 2025, officially changing its name. The subsequent implementation order by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum made it official on March 7, 2025. This new legislation seeks to ensure that future administrations cannot reverse this renaming by enshrining it into law permanently.
