President Trump announced Tuesday that he named a national wildlife refuge in honor of Jocelyn Nungaray – a 12-year-old Houston girl allegedly killed by a pair of illegal migrants.
Trump revealed the heartfelt tribute as he introduced Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyn’s mother, as one of his invited guests to his speech to a joint session of Congress.
“Alexis, I promised that we would always remember your daughter, your magnificent daughter, and earlier tonight, I signed an order keeping my word to you,” the president said. “One thing I have learned about Jocelyn is that she loved animals so much – she loved nature.”
“Across Galveston Bay, from where Jocelyn lived in Houston, you will find a magnificent national wildlife refuge – a pristine, peaceful, 34,000 acre sanctuary for all of God’s creatures on the edge of the Gulf of America,” he continued.
“Alexis, moments ago, I formally renamed that refuge in loving memory of your beautiful daughter, Jocelyn,” Trump revealed, before asking Vice President JD Vance to hand him the signed order so he could show the young girl’s mom, who struggled to hold back tears.
The executive order signed by Trump comes eight months after Nungaray was murdered, leading to the arrest of two illegal migrants.
Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, and Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 22, were both charged in her sickening slaying in June.
The men allegedly lured her under a bridge, tied her up and then assaulted her for two hours, police said.
The pair had entered the US illegally at separate times last year and were captured by US Border Patrol, but both were released and given notices to appear in court at a later date.
Nungaray’s heartbreaking case gained national attention as the debate over immigration heated up with a presidential election months away at the time.
Prosecutors in Texas said in December they will seek the death penalty against the two Venezuelan nationals.