Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray by two illegal aliens, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas-22) introduced legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives to improve the detention and tracking of illegal aliens entering the United States.

Upon introduction, Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis Nungaray, stated, “In the wake of so much grief, Jocelyn gives me the strength to be her voice and demand justice. Senator Ted Cruz's Justice for Jocelyn Act would have prevented Jocelyn's death. It would have prevented her two murderers from being on the street and it would have meant that Jocelyn would be here with us today. For the safety of kids nationwide, I urge everyone to support Sen. Cruz’s Justice for Jocelyn Act.”

Sen. Cruz remarked, “Jocelyn Nungaray’s horrific death was entirely preventable. The illegal aliens charged with murdering her should have been held in ICE custody, but they were allowed into the U.S. despite the availability of thousands of open detention center beds. No parent should have to feel the anguish that Jocelyn’s mother Alexis is suffering. No family should have to live in fear that a violent criminal from another country is wandering their neighborhood intending to harm their children. No ICE or Border Patrol agent should have their hands tied when an illegal alien commits a crime. Congress needs to wake up and act decidedly to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again.”

Rep. Nehls added, “The tragic death of Jocelyn Nungaray was entirely preventable. The two illegal aliens suspected of assaulting and murdering her were from Venezuela, a gang haven, and were released by the Biden Administration into our homeland, despite ICE detention beds being available. Without serious reforms, American families will continue to lose family members and loved ones at the hands of illegal aliens. Enough is enough. I am proud to introduce the Justice for Jocelyn Act with Senator Ted Cruz to ensure tragedies like the death of Jocelyn never happen again.”

On June 17, 2024, two Venezuelan illegal aliens assaulted and murdered 12-year-old Houston resident Jocelyn Nungaray while enrolled in DHS’ "Alternative to Detention" (ATD) program which allowed them into the interior of the United States despite available ICE detention center beds.

The Justice for Jocelyn Act aims to address these issues by requiring every ICE detention bed to be filled before releasing any detainees under ATD programs and mandates continuous GPS monitoring for those released until removal or completion of immigration proceedings.

In 2007, then-Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz argued before the United States Supreme Court in Medellín v Texas defending Texas courts' right against international rules not ratified by Congress.

###