Honoring Jocelyn Nungaray
President Trump issued an executive order renaming the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge.
This action commemorates Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl murdered in Houston, whose death the order links to the prior administration's immigration policies.
The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement the renaming within 30 days, using existing legal authority.
It contains standard clauses regarding non-impairment of existing agency authorities and budgetary considerations, and disclaims the creation of any new legal rights or benefits.
Arguments For
Honoring a victim: Renaming the refuge honors Jocelyn Nungaray and serves as a memorial to her life. The action recognizes her tragic death and offers a tangible symbol of remembrance.
National interest: The President asserts that honoring Jocelyn is in the national interest, highlighting a need to acknowledge the impact of violence and the importance of remembering victims.
Legal basis: The order cites the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) as providing the legal authority for the renaming.
Symbolic statement: The renaming can be seen as a symbolic gesture against illegal immigration and its perceived consequences, intending to send a strong message about border security and the rule of law.
Arguments Against
Political motivation: Critics might argue the renaming is primarily a politically motivated act, designed to capitalize on a tragic event for political gain rather than genuine memorialization.
Limited impact on immigration: The renaming has little direct impact on solving the broader issues related to immigration, border security, or reducing crime. It may be seen as an insufficient response to a complex problem.
Alternative approaches: Resources dedicated to renaming the refuge could have been used for other initiatives addressing crime, border security, or support for victims of violence.
Potential for divisiveness: The order's strong language concerning immigration policies could exacerbate existing political divisions and create further polarization.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose and Policy. The prior administration’s immigration policies inexcusably endangered and caused enormous suffering within our Nation, including by causing the southern border to be overrun by cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries, and illicit narcotics. These open-border policies are responsible for the horrific and inexcusable murders of many innocent American citizens at the hands of illegal aliens.
One of those innocent victims was Jocelyn Nungaray, whose life was tragically cut short on June 17, 2024, when she was brutally murdered in Houston, Texas. Two Venezuelan illegal aliens who were allegedly Tren de Aragua gang members and were apprehended near the border in early 2024 — and then released into the United States by the prior administration — have been charged with her murder. Jocelyn was a precious 12 year old girl beloved by her family and friends for her kindness and infectious zeal for life. 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.
This section establishes the purpose of the Presidential order.
It asserts that prior immigration policies led to increased crime, including the murder of Jocelyn Nungaray.
The order frames the renaming of the wildlife refuge as a fitting tribute and in the national interest given the circumstances surrounding her death.
Sec. 2. Renaming the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to Honor Jocelyn Nungaray. Within 30 days of the date of this order, pursuant to authority under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) and other applicable law, the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) shall update procedures as necessary and take all other appropriate actions to rename the area known as the “Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge” as the “Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge” and ensure that her life is permanently commemorated therein. The Secretary shall subsequently provide guidance to ensure all Federal references to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge, including on agency maps, contracts, and other documents and communications, reflect its renaming.
This section details the specific action: renaming the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge.
The Secretary of the Interior is directed to complete this within 30 days, referencing the relevant legal authority and outlining the steps required for its implementation, including updating all federal documentation.
Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
This section includes standard clauses found in many executive orders.
Subsection (a) ensures that this order doesn’t diminish the authority of other agencies.
Subsection (b) states the order's implementation is contingent upon available funding and existing legal frameworks.
Finally, subsection (c) is a standard disclaimer stating the order does not create any legally enforceable rights.