A palpable silence filled the White House press room.
Patty Morin stood before journalists to recount her piercing story, one that no mother had ever wished to share.
Her daughter Rachel, a mother of five from Maryland, fell victim to brutal rape and murder in 2023.
Patty’s vivid description of Rachel’s tragic end left even the most seasoned reporters motionless.
“Why must we allow this? Individuals devoid of conscience, who commit violent crimes against our mothers, sisters, daughters?” she questioned.
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White House criticises attempt to deport an individual mistakenly
This is a pertinent question echoing in the hearts and minds of many Americans, those who endorse US President Donald Trump’s stance on widespread deportation.
The White House recognizes the profound impact of such a courageous, personal account.
Press Secretary Karoline Levitt had signaled the briefing to include “a special guest” two hours ahead.
She welcomed questions from the press in attendance and then declined to answer any.
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My brother was wrongly deported from the US
In associating this crime with immigration policy, the administration posed deportations as imperative for safeguarding American lives.
Including the case of Kimar Albrega Garcia, who they admit was mistakenly sent to an infamous prison in El Salvador due to an “administrative error”.
Utilizing a mother’s heart-wrenching loss to justify Garcia’s removal overlooks the situation, such as his lack of criminal record.
The Supreme Court has mandated the US government to arrange his return, yet the White House asserts it is not obligated to do so.
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The Trump administration claims Garcia is an MS-13 gang member and denies his return to Maryland, yet no due process has been conducted.
On Monday, Victor Martinez-Hernandez, 24, an escapee from El Salvador, was found guilty of raping and murdering Rachel Morin.
Justice was served in one case, but resistance persists in another.
And Patty Morin’s unspeakable loss serves as a powerful testament to the importance of justice.
