On Tuesday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas referred to Rachel Morin, a mother who was murdered by an alleged Salvadoran gang member, as “the individual” instead of naming her in an interview. This sparked outrage from Morin’s family and highlighted the ongoing issue of migrants pouring over the southern border.
In a Wednesday night interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, Patty Morin, Rachel’s mother, criticized Mayorkas for his response to questions about her daughter’s murder. She stated that referring to Rachel as an “individual” instead of acknowledging her as a mother and daughter is a political statement that depersonalizes her and makes her an object.
Alleged Salvadoran gang member Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez was arrested on Friday for the murder of 37-year-old Rachel Morin, a mother of five, in Harford County, Maryland. The incident has sparked new outrage about migrants entering the country and committing violent crimes.
During his appearance on CNN, Mayorkas responded to critics by stating that “our hearts break for the children, the loved ones and the friends of the individual who was murdered—the woman, the mother.” He added that a criminal is responsible for the criminal act and that the person who committed the heinous act should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Morin family attorney Randolph Rice expressed frustration with the Biden administration’s response to the situation during Wednesday night’s interview on “The Ingraham Angle.” He criticized the administration for being disconnected from the reality at the southern border and failing to address the issue effectively.
Rachel Morin was abducted from the Ma and Pa hiking trail in Bel Air, Maryland, and dragged into the woods. Her body was found in a culvert on August 6th. Martinez-Hernandez had already been wanted for a previous murder in El Salvador and assaulting a mother and young girl during a brutal home invasion in Los Angeles. He had been living in the country illegally since crossing through Mexico in 2023, officials said.
Authorities found Martinez-Hernandez “casually sitting at the bar” on Friday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape in connection with Rachel’s death. Rachel’s sister believes that her sister’s alleged killer may have additional victims.
The Morin family hopes that their story will bring attention to the issue of violent crimes committed by illegal migrants and prompt the government to take action to protect American citizens from such acts of violence.
