Senate Public Safety Chairman John Albers, Majority Leader Steve Gooch Demand Border Security Action Following Murder of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez

ATLANTA (October 31, 2024) - Senate Committee on Public Safety Chairman, Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) today issued statements following the tragic murder of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez, whose body was recovered last week after her disappearance from Cornelia, Georgia.

Sen. Albers expressed his thoughts regarding the events leading to Rodriguez-Ramirez's death, drawing a strong connection to a lack of border security and urging immediate federal action:

"It is with profound sadness and frustration that we mourn the senseless murder of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez. Known as 'Mimi' to her friends, 25-year-old Rodriguez-Ramirez worked hard to build a life here in Georgia. She was last seen on October 22, 2024, at a Walmart in Cornelia, and her body was tragically found a week later. She leaves behind a grieving family, including a 9-year-old daughter.

Mimi was a legal immigrant from Puerto Rico who followed every step of the process to live and work in the United States. She secured employment with Mt. Vernon Hills, Inc. and tirelessly supported her daughter, mother and fiancé. She did everything right, yet her life was cut short because of our federal government's repeated failure to protect its own citizens.

The suspected murderer, Angel DeJesus Rivera-Sanches, an illegal immigrant who had no right to be here, was apprehended in Atlanta as he tried to flee back to Mexico. He has been charged with kidnapping in connection to her disappearance.

Once again, our open-border policies have claimed another innocent life on American soil, right here in Georgia. I commend the swift work of the Habersham Sheriff's Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and all agencies involved in apprehending this suspect. My colleagues in the Senate and I will remain unwavering in our commitment to securing our state and nation. Earlier this year, we acted decisively with House Bill 1105, the Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act, which I proudly carried in the Senate and was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp.

How many more lives must be lost due to the open-border policies in Washington, D.C.? The administration's failure to address this issue impacts families here in Georgia and across the United States. Earlier this year, our community mourned the tragic death of Laken Riley, a resident of my district, and now we mourn Mimi Rodriguez-Ramirez. These were preventable tragedies, and we will not forget them. Say their names."

Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch echoed Sen. Albers' sentiments, calling for immediate and stronger federal action on border control to prevent such tragedies in the future:

"The murder of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez, so close to my district, is a tragedy that should prompt us all to question how much longer we will put our own people at risk due to Washington's failure to secure our borders. Mimi followed the law, worked hard and raised a family here, yet her life was stolen by an illegal alien who had no right to be in this country. Enough is enough. We must protect our families, uphold the dignity of those who respect our laws and restore the security that every community deserves."

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected].

Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and Pickens counties and a portion of White County. He may be reached at 404.656.7872 or via email at [email protected].

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