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Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) has sent a third letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, addressing concerns about violent criminals being released from Venezuelan prisons and entering the United States through migrant caravans. Congressmen Byron Donalds (R-FL-19), Randy Weber (R-TX-14), and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) co-signed the letter, urging Secretary Mayorkas to prevent Venezuelans from entering the country, deport those already released pending immigration proceedings, and initiate a moratorium on all Venezuelan migration until Venezuela cooperates with deportation requests.
In September 2022, Congressman Nehls and 13 colleagues sent an initial letter to Secretary Mayorkas regarding a report received by Border Patrol. The report indicated that the Venezuelan regime under Nicolás Maduro Moros was releasing violent criminals early, including inmates convicted of "murder, rape, and extortion."
In February 2024, Congressman Nehls followed up with another letter after the murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia. Riley was attacked by a Venezuelan national who had entered the U.S. illegally in September 2022 and had been previously arrested. Despite these communications, Congressman Nehls stated that no response has been received from Secretary Mayorkas.
Further incidents occurred in March and May 2024 when two Venezuelan nationals were released into the U.S., despite available detention beds. These individuals later assaulted and murdered Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl in Houston.
"Time after time, I have urged Secretary Mayorkas to protect the American people from the danger posed by violent criminals from Venezuela who are entering our country," said Congressman Nehls. "How many more Americans have to die at the hands of illegal aliens before the Biden-Harris Administration takes my letters seriously?"
The full text of Congressman Nehls' latest letter emphasizes ongoing concerns about violent criminals among migrant caravans and criticizes DHS for not taking previous warnings seriously.
"We are once again seeking to have our questions answered from our September 2022 letter," wrote Congressman Nehls. "We continue to urge you to prevent Venezuelans from entering our interior and immediately deport those you have released pending immigration proceedings."
The congressmen demand immediate action to address what they describe as a significant threat posed by certain migrants from Venezuela.