In a poignant hearing this week, Tammy Nobles, an “angel mom” who lost her daughter Kayla to a violent crime committed by an illegal immigrant, spoke out against what she described as attempts by lawmakers to manipulate her testimony for political gain. Nobles’ daughter was murdered by a member of the MS-13 gang, who had previously crossed the U.S. border illegally and had a criminal record. During her emotional testimony, Nobles highlighted the preventable nature of her daughter’s death, asserting that key actions by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Health and Human Services (HHS) could have averted the tragedy.

Nobles recounted the devastating moment she received the news of her daughter’s murder, emphasizing the indescribable pain experienced by a parent losing a child in such a horrific manner. She stated, “This was the worst news a parent could ever get,” as she reflected on the loss of her nearly 20-year-old daughter.

In her testimony, Nobles urged Congress to recognize the realities of the border crisis and the dangers posed by unmonitored immigration policies. She specifically pointed to the lack of communication between agencies, noting that a simple phone call to El Salvador could have revealed the assailant’s gang affiliation and criminal history, potentially preventing her daughter’s murder. “It could have been prevented if Homeland Security and Health and Human Services just would have made that one phone call,” she stressed.

Senator John Cornyn announced his intention to introduce the Michaela Hamilton Act, named after Nobles’ daughter, which aims to enforce strict background checks on unaccompanied minors and their sponsors. This proposed legislation would require HHS to investigate potential gang affiliations and ensure that sponsors are legally present in the U.S. Nobles believes that had such measures been in place, her daughter’s death could have been avoided. “If the Michaela Hamilton Act was in place, they would have known he was a gang member and never been allowed to enter,” she asserted.

The hearing took a tense turn when a senator from California attempted to corner Nobles and another victim’s family member with leading questions about immigrants. Nobles felt that the senator was trying to manipulate their responses and trap them into making a statement that could be misconstrued. “I felt like he was trying to trick us,” she recalled, emphasizing that not all immigrants should be placed in the same category. Nobles insisted on clarity, demanding the senator specify whether he was referring to legal or illegal immigrants.

As the hearing concluded, Nobles expressed her determination to continue advocating for the protection of children and citizens from gang violence. “This is about protecting all children and American citizens from gang activity,” she said, underscoring the urgency of implementing the proposed legislation.

Nobles’ testimony not only shed light on the heart-wrenching consequences of immigration policy failures but also served as a rallying cry for those advocating for safer communities. Her resolve to share her story in the face of adversity highlights the need for meaningful dialogue and action on immigration reform, aiming to prevent future tragedies like her daughter’s.