Republicans have slammed the White House's 'shameful' response to murders of Rachel Morin and Jocelyn Nungaray, criticizing the omission of the alleged killers' illegal immigrant status in official statements.

The murders of Rachel Morin and Jocelyn Nungaray have ignited a political firestorm, with Republicans condemning the Biden administration for not mentioning the alleged killers' illegal immigrant status and linking these tragedies to what they call lax immigration policies. The White House offered condolences but focused on the necessity of justice for the victims without delving into immigration issues, drawing sharp rebuke from GOP leaders who argue that stronger border controls could have prevented these crimes.

Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, was raped and murdered while on a hiking trail in Maryland in August 2023. Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez, a 23-year-old from El Salvador who entered the United States illegally, has been arrested and charged with her murder.

In a separate incident, the body of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was discovered in a creek in Houston. Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, both Venezuelan nationals in the U.S. illegally, have been charged with her killing.

The White House issued statements expressing condolences to the families of both Rachel Morin and Jocelyn Nungaray. However, these statements did not mention the immigration status of the alleged killers, nor did they comment on the ongoing law enforcement investigations. This omission has led to significant backlash from Republican leaders.

Republicans, including members of the Trump campaign, have sharply criticized President Biden and linked the murders to his administration's immigration policies. They argue that the president's approach to border control is too lax and assert that stricter enforcement could have prevented these tragedies.

White House spokespersons for both cases stressed that anyone found guilty should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Nonetheless, this assurance did little to quell the criticism from the GOP, who are demanding a stronger stance on immigration and border security.

Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green lambasted the Biden administration for what he sees as a failure to enforce immigration laws effectively. He claimed that this failure has contributed to a sense of insecurity among American citizens.

The GOP-controlled House Committee on Homeland Security echoed these sentiments, criticizing the administration for rolling back many of former President Trump's immigration policies. They claimed that the reversal of these policies has created conditions that allow such tragedies to occur.

In response to the criticism, the Biden administration has pointed to its efforts to reform immigration through a series of executive actions. These reforms include measures aimed at providing a pathway to legal status for certain undocumented family members of U.S. citizens.

Kim George, a GOP candidate, voiced her frustration, stating that the families of the victims deserve justice. She placed blame on what she described as weak leadership for the deaths of Rachel Morin and Jocelyn Nungaray.

In a direct personal outreach, former President Donald Trump called Rachel Morin's mother, Patty Morin, to offer his condolences. Patty Morin has also been vocal in her criticism, particularly targeting Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for depersonalizing her daughter in his comments, referring to her merely as an 'individual.'

The controversy surrounding these cases underscores the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States. As the investigations continue, the political ramifications of these tragic events are likely to remain a focal point in discussions about border security and immigration reform.