Trump Uses Murdered Women Girls to Criticize Biden on Immigration

Photo : AFP

Minutes before taking the stage for the first presidential debate, Donald Trump received a poignant phone call that underscored his critique of Joe Biden's immigration policies. The call came from Alexis Nungaray, the mother of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, tragically killed in Houston by two Venezuelan men allegedly in the U.S. illegally. Trump had left a message earlier that day for Alexis, who was attending her daughter's funeral at the time, as confirmed by family friend Victoria Galvan who witnessed the call, reported Reuters.

Jocelyn's body was discovered near her home on June 17, after she was reportedly abducted, assaulted, and murdered. The suspects, Johan Jose Martinez Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, had previously been apprehended by U.S. border authorities in Texas earlier in the year but were released pending court proceedings.

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During the debate, Trump highlighted Jocelyn's case and his conversation with Alexis as he criticized Biden's immigration policies, accusing the administration of allowing violent offenders into the country unchecked.

"There have been many young women murdered by the same people he allows to come across our border," Trump asserted during the debate. "These killers are coming into our country, raping and killing women. It's a terrible thing."

Trump's remarks align with a recurring theme in his rhetoric since his initial presidential campaign in 2015, portraying illegal immigrants, particularly those crossing the southern border, as dangerous criminals. He often focuses on cases involving young, typically Caucasian women allegedly victimized by Hispanic assailants to underscore his stance, sidestepping instances involving male victims.

Critics argue that Trump's approach stokes xenophobia and ethnic hostility, perpetuating stereotypes that unfairly vilify Latino men. Research generally shows no correlation between immigration status and increased crime rates compared to native-born Americans, challenging the validity of Trump's assertions. However, his narrative resonates strongly with a significant segment of voters, amplified by conservative media and online influencers aligned with his agenda.

Victoria Galvan, 27, attributed Jocelyn's tragic fate to Biden's relaxation of border restrictions. "I firmly believe Jocelyn would still be alive if President Trump were in office," Galvan asserted, expressing her intention to vote for the first time in support of Trump.

Despite the lack of empirical evidence, a Reuters/Ipsos poll in May revealed that approximately three-quarters of Republicans view illegal immigrants as a threat to public safety.

Trump's campaign strategy includes highlighting Biden's perceived failures in handling immigration, particularly the surge in illegal border crossings during his presidency. In response, Biden and his supporters accuse Trump of exploiting personal tragedies for political gain, arguing that such tactics do nothing to address genuine border security concerns.

A digital advertisement released by the conservative group Building America's Future last week further amplifies these sentiments. The ad features Rachel Morin, a mother of five who was raped and murdered near her Maryland home in August 2023. Her accused killer is an immigrant from El Salvador living illegally in the U.S.

"Joe Biden's open border, a nightmare for American women," the ad declares, juxtaposing Biden's image with that of Morin's alleged assailant.

Trump's approach draws parallels to the controversial "Willie Horton" ad from the 1988 presidential campaign, which critics deemed racially divisive. Susan Del Percio, a Republican strategist critical of Trump's immigration stance, likened his strategy to exploiting public fears with incendiary rhetoric.

Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump's campaign, defended his stance, accusing Biden of jeopardizing public safety by allowing dangerous criminals to enter the country unchecked. "President Trump speaks out for victims and stands with their families," Leavitt stated.

Throughout his presidency and campaign, Trump has used inflammatory language to characterize immigrants in the U.S. illegally, alleging they undermine national security and threaten American values.

The response from victims' families to Trump's efforts has been mixed. While some appreciate his efforts to highlight their loved ones' cases, others view his actions as opportunistic and insensitive. In the case of Mollie Tibbetts, a University of Iowa student murdered by an illegal Mexican immigrant in 2018, her father criticized Trump for politicizing her death.

Michelle Root, whose daughter Sarah was killed by a drunken driver living illegally in the U.S. in 2016, expressed frustration with the lack of response from the Obama-Biden administration when she sought recognition for her daughter's case.

In contrast, Patty Morin, Rachel Morin's mother, reportedly felt deeply moved when Trump personally reached out to offer condolences. His acknowledgment, including a 20-minute phone call discussing Rachel's legacy, resonated profoundly with Patty Morin, according to her attorney Randolph Rice.

The debate over immigration remains a pivotal issue in the 2024 presidential campaign, with Trump and Biden presenting starkly contrasting views on border security and immigration reform.

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