On Tuesday President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order renaming Texas’s Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge.
The President seeks “to forever commemorate the life of twelve-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray” by renaming the refuge.
In June 2024, Jocelyn Nungaray was killed in Houston by two illegal immigrants “reputedly” connected to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. After apprehension at the border, both men somehow entered the US. Weeks later they allegedly strangled and killed the young girl.
According to Houston Public Media, the suspects, “Johan Martinez-Rangel, 21, and Franklin Peña, 26, have been charged with capital murder and sexual assault in the case.”
Tren de Aragua is designated one of eight foreign terrorist organizations by the Department of State.
The order blames border policies from the prior administration for the entry of thousands of illegal immigrants into the US and the crimes committed. Several of these crimes have been violent and murderous, or drug and human-trafficking related.
Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyn’s mother, became an activist for border security in light of her daughter’s death. She was in attendance during the President’s address to the House on Tuesday.
The President lamented the death of Jocelyn during his speech. He also announced the re-naming of the refuge. He mentioned Jocelyn’s great love for animals and nature. The order states:
“She loved animals and had a passion for ensuring that they had homes. It is fitting and in the national interest, therefore, that the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, a scenic area for coastal wildlife and recreation along the Gulf of America near Jocelyn’s home in Texas will forever honor and preserve the memory of a beautiful American, Jocelyn Nungaray.”
The refuge has a large populations of waterfowl, along with alligators and various unique species of birds.
The Secretary of Interior has been ordered to rename the refuge and have that reflected on maps within 30 days.
