US President Donald Trump on Sunday said the time for being soft on illegal immigrant criminals was over under his administration.
Referencing the beheading of an Indian-origin motel manager in Dallas earlier last week, Trump said the accused in the case would be charged with murder in the first degree and would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“I am aware of the terrible reports regarding the murder of Chandra Nagamallaiah, a well-respected person in Dallas, Texas, who was brutally beheaded, in front of his wife and son, by an ILLEGAL ALIEN from Cuba who should have never been in our Country," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“This individual was previously arrested for terrible crimes, including child sex abuse, grand theft auto, and false imprisonment, but was released back into our Homeland under incompetent Joe Biden because Cuba did not want such an evil person in their Country," he added.
“Rest assured, the time for being soft on these Illegal Immigrant Criminals is OVER under my watch," Trump wrote.
“This criminal, who we have in custody, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. He will be charged with murder in the first degree," the US President mentioned.
Fifty-year-old Chandra Mouli “Bob" Nagamallaiah was killed at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old Cuban national with a violent criminal history.
Cobos-Martinez was released from ICE custody earlier this year after Cuba refused to accept his deportation due to his criminal record.
Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in Houston was closely monitoring the case and providing consular support.
Consul General DC Manjunath said the consulate “is in contact with the family and local authorities, offering all necessary assistance."
The Indian-American community expressed shock and grief.
The deceased’s wife, Nisha, and 18-year-old son, Gaurav, who witnessed the attack, have raised nearly USD 200,000, at last reckoning, to help cover funeral expenses and Gaurav’s college education.
Cobos-Martinez remains jailed without bond pending trial.
