Where is Ava Moore’s Due Process?
It’s a heartbreaking story that is becoming all-too familiar.
Over this past weekend, 18-year-old Ava Moore, an Air Force Academy cadet candidate, was killed by an illegal alien from Venezuela.
Ava was kayaking on Grapevine Lake, Texas this past Memorial Day weekend when Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez, who was driving a jet ski at a high speed, collided with the incoming Air Force cadet.
Gonzalez has been charged with second-degree felony manslaughter. Maikel Coello Perozo, who she was with, was charged with collision involving damage to a vehicle and with hindering apprehension after fleeing the scene.
In a statement, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said, “Ava Moore’s senseless death was caused by an illegal alien who should have never been in our country in the first place. My heart breaks for Ava’s family and friends, and my prayers are with them as they face this tragedy.”
Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have confirmed that both individuals were here illegally. Previously apprehended at the border, they were released and instructed to return for processing. They never did.
According to the House Committee on Oversight, “The Biden Administration failed to detain most illegal aliens during removal proceedings, releasing over 75 percent of illegal aliens encountered by Border Patrol in December 2023. In addition, the Administration failed to remove most of the illegal aliens encountered during Joe Biden’s presidency.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have reported there were nearly 11 million “encounters” at the borders during the Biden years compared with 3 million during President Trump’s first term.
Nobody is alleging that the individuals here illegally deliberately targeted Moore, but if they had been properly processed in the first place, Ava would still be alive.
Moore had just graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School and was expected to play basketball for the Falcons this coming season.
Her would-be school mourned her passing in a statement from Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind:
We lost an exemplary teammate this weekend — Cadet Candidate Ava Moore, whose passion for leadership and service left an impact on everyone she met. Ava’s constant happiness and attitude helped her squadron get through the challenges of the Prep School, and her drive to excel was on display as she sought out leadership positions to improve herself and her team.
In recent months, legal and political battles have unfolded over the deportation of illegal aliens just like these individuals now charged in the death of Ava Moore. In March, the Trump administration deported 238 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, and 23 members of MS-13, an international gang. In an effort to simplify and expedite the process, officials invoked the Alien Enemies Act – a 1798 law that gives the president broad powers to remove individuals who pose a threat to the country.
Critics and some courts and judges have pushed back citing the need for “due process” – which is principle broadly understood to ensure fundamental fairness.
Without diving into the details or individual cases, an obvious and heart-wrenching question must be posed: Who was protecting the fundamental rights of Ava Moore this past weekend to enjoy a kayak ride on a holiday weekend?
Earlier this month, Homeland Security released a video remembering Americans killed by illegal immigrants driving under the influence.
Ivory Smith was seven years old. Maverick Martzen was eight. Alex “AJ” Wise Jr. was ten.
And Ava Moore was eighteen.
In a remarkable gesture, Ava’s family released a statement following her death, pointing to a foundation of faith:
This is a difficult time for all involved, but also an opportunity for our beautiful girl to continue to impact our community. Out of this tragedy, God will make good — and that only can be accomplished through forgiveness.
We urge prayers for all those grieving the loss of this young woman.
Image credit: U.S. Air Force
