Petroplex News

WASHINGTON, DC — Wednesday, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) brought the Tambunga family before a hearing at the House Homeland Security Committee to confront DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about the heartbreaking realities of his failure to secure the border.

 

In March, 71-year-old Maria and her 7-year-old granddaughter Emilia Tambunga were killed in a car crash in Ozona, Texas, when a human trafficker smuggling 11 illegal immigrants crashed into them during a high-speed chase.

 

Secretary Mayorkas agreed to meet with the family immediately following the Hearing. In the meeting, the Tambunga family shared their heartbreaking loss of losing two beloved family members because of the border crisis.

 

Watch the full exchange here or read a transcript below.

  

Secretary Mayorkas offers condolences to the Tammbunga family: Emilio Tambunga, Elisia Tambunga, and Virginia Jesperson

 

Pfluger: “This is a sad day. America’s security has never been weaker than it is under the Biden Administration and your reign as Secretary of Homeland Security.

 

On March 13th, a Texas DPS Trooper attempted to stop Rassian Comer for a speeding violation. Comer refused to stop and a reckless, high-speed chase ensued. At one point during this reckless chase, Comer began to nonchalantly livestream himself driving 105 miles per hour and evading the police officer behind him.

 

At the same time, a 71-year-old grandmother and her granddaughter were on their way home after a playdate at a friend’s house. Their names were Maria and Emilia Tambunga. Maria is the mother of two of my constituents.

 

As Maria passed through the intersection of State Highway 163 and I-10 Service Road, Comer blew through a red light and struck Maria and Emilia’s vehicle. Maria and Emilia were pronounced dead at the scene, along with two of the people Comer was transporting.

 

After law enforcement officers secured the scene, it was revealed that Comer was a human trafficker smuggling 11 illegal aliens in his pickup truck.

 

Over the last few weeks, I have heard countless stories about Emilia and Maria. I had been told that Emilia was an outgoing fashionista who was ready to take on the world. She dreamed of being an influencer and a teacher. She was active in sports and was a model student at Ozona Elementary School. She loved to play with her friends, dance with her Aunt Ginny, and cook with her Grandma Maria. I'm wearing a pink tie today Mr. Secretary in honor of that little girl.

 

Mr. Mayorkas, the Tambunga family is here today.

 

Emilio Tambunga, Maria’s husband and Emilia’s grandfather, Elisa Tambunga, Maria’s daughter and Emilia’s mother, and Virginia Jespersen, Maria’s daughter and Emilia’s aunt are sitting right behind you.

 

They came here today because they want answers. They came here today because of the failures of you and your leadership. They came here because they want closure. They deserve answers. Mr. Mayorkas, will you turn around and offer them your condolences and an apology for the failure of your administration that led to the death of their loved ones? They’re standing right there, and I think they deserve an apology from you.”

 

Mayorkas: “Our heart breaks for your loss. Our heart breaks for all victims of criminal activity.”

 

Pfluger: “It is a failure of the policies that have allowed hundreds of thousands of families to go through this grief. They want to meet with you today, Mr. Secretary. I'll host it in my office, will you commit to meeting with them?”

 

Mayorkas: “Congressman, I most certainly will as long as you do not politicize the meeting.”

 

Pfluger: “Mr. Secretary, the only person politicizing anything here is you. The security of this country is not a political matter. In fact, on September 21, 2021, you told me in this committee room that the border was secure. If we can play that video.”

 

[VIDEO] Pfluger: “Is the border more secure under your leadership than when you started?

 

Mayorkas: “Congressman the border is secure. We're executing our plan, and I've been very clear and unequivocal in that regard.”

 

Pfluger: “Mr. Secretary, the question is, is the border more secure now under your leadership?”

 

Mayorkas: “Congressman, it is no less secure than it was previously.” [END/VIDEO]

 

Pfluger: “Mr. Mayorkas, are you going to tell the Tambunga family that the border is secure today?”

 

Mayorkas: “Congressman, you are politicizing a tragedy.”

 

Pfluger: “No, I am not politicizing a tragedy, they came here to Washington, DC of their own volition to get accountability for the loss of their family, two beloved members of their family.

 

This year, we had a hearing at the border which no Democrat came to, not a single Democrat came to the hearing that we had in McAllen, Texas, and Chief Ortiz said that the border is not secure. Do you disagree with Chief Ortiz?”

 

Mayorkas: “Congressman, let me return to what you said. Accountability is brought in a court of law. I delivered accountability for 12 years.”

 

Pfluger: “Mr. Mayorkas, do you disagree with the head Border Patrol agent when he said that our border is not secure?”

 

Mayorkas: “Congressman, I have testified to that issue.”

 

Pfluger: “So you do disagree with him, you disagree with your Chief of Border Patrol?”

 

Mayorkas: “I respectfully do in that regard. “

 

Pfluger: “You do. Not a single Border Patrol agent that I've talked to in the past three years, has said that they trust your leadership or have faith that you're keeping our country secure. I look forward to the meeting with the Tambunga family and coming up with real solutions. And I hope that all of my Democrat colleagues will meet the Tambunga family and listen to their story and understand the things that are happening in my state and in others because of the failure of these policies. And we have the answers right in front of us. I hope that every one of you will do that. You had the opportunity in McAllen, Texas, and it's time to meet with them.”

Original source can be found here.