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“With the Jocelyn Initiative, with her mother and grandmother present, we said we are not going to tolerate one more child being lost to violent criminals who have come across our border illegally, or one more child that we have lost because someone let a bad guy out of jail,” Buckingham said.
Central to this initiative is a newly acquired 1,400-acre property near the border. Purchased by the state in October, the land is intended to house detention and deportation operations under the incoming Trump administration. Buckingham pledged her office’s full support, stating, “My office has identified several of our properties and is standing by ready to make this happen on day one of the Trump presidency.”
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Jocelyn’s death has become a rallying cry for advocates of stronger border enforcement. The young girl was found in a creek near her North Houston home after she reportedly snuck out one evening. Investigators say she was sexually assaulted and strangled by two men, later identified as Johan José Martínez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin José Peña Ramos, 26—both undocumented immigrants from Venezuela.
The suspects face multiple charges, including capital murder, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault. Controversy erupted when it was revealed that both men had been apprehended earlier in the year by U.S. Border Patrol but were released into the U.S. with notices to appear in court. This standard procedure, increasingly criticized by conservatives, has fueled outrage among Jocelyn’s family and the broader community.
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Buckingham, a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, framed the initiative as a moral imperative. Her comments underscored the state’s determination to back federal efforts to reform immigration policies. “We are coming together,” she said, “we’re gonna identify properties around the state, and again, if they meet the Trump administration’s needs, that’s what we’re gonna do … we’re gonna get it done.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and other Republican leaders have echoed Buckingham’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for decisive action. Abbott, who has long championed border security measures, views the Jocelyn Initiative as a pivotal step in addressing the challenges posed by illegal immigration.
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For Buckingham, this project represents more than policy—it’s deeply personal. “We are going to do everything in our power to ensure no other parent has to feel the pain that Alexis and Jacqueline are feeling right now,” she said, referring to Jocelyn’s mother and grandmother.
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Critics of current immigration practices have pointed to cases like Jocelyn’s as evidence of systemic failures. Buckingham’s initiative aims to address these gaps, prioritizing the safety and security of Texas residents. By offering state-owned land for detention facilities, she hopes to strengthen enforcement efforts and prevent violent crimes linked to illegal immigration.
As the border wall panel stands as a somber reminder of Jocelyn’s life, the Jocelyn Initiative seeks to transform grief into action. Buckingham’s efforts reflect a broader push among conservative leaders to overhaul immigration policies and safeguard communities.
Jocelyn’s memory now fuels a movement demanding accountability and reform, with her story serving as both a warning and a call to action. For her family and advocates of stricter immigration enforcement, her legacy is a powerful reminder of the stakes in this ongoing debate.
