Brandon Ortiz-Vite, a 25-year-old Mexican national who was in the U.S. illegally, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing his girlfriend, Ruby Garcia, and dumping her body on the side of a highway in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ortiz-Vite shot Garcia dead inside a car on U.S.-131 in March after she told him she wanted to end their relationship. After dumping her body, he fled the scene but later turned himself in to police. He will be sentenced on October 31 and faces 30 to 37 years in prison. Ortiz-Vite’s case gained attention after former President Donald Trump highlighted it as an example of migrant crime.
Trump spoke about Ruby Garcia’s murder at a campaign event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he blamed President Joe Biden for what he called a “Biden’s Border Bloodbath.” Trump claimed that Biden’s policies had allowed illegal immigrants into the country who went on to commit violent crimes, using Garcia’s case as an example. However, Garcia’s family denied that Trump had spoken to any of them directly. Ortiz-Vite had previously been deported for a DUI offense in September 2020 but re-entered the U.S. The timeline of when he re-entered the country is unclear and it is unknown if it occurred during Trump’s administration or Biden’s.
Garcia and Ortiz-Vite had been in a romantic relationship for about a year before the murder took place. On the night of the incident, they were arguing in a car on the freeway when Ortiz-Vite, who had been drinking and using cocaine, shot Garcia multiple times. He then dumped her body and called 911 two days later to turn himself in for the murder. Ortiz-Vite faces a lengthy prison sentence and will then be subject to removal proceedings by ICE. The case raised questions about immigration policies and enforcement measures regarding illegal immigrants who re-enter the country after being deported.
Trump’s highlighting of Ruby Garcia’s murder as a case of migrant crime aimed to reinforce his narrative of the dangers posed by illegal immigrants in the U.S. His speech in Grand Rapids focused on what he called a “Biden’s Border Bloodbath” and included references to several violent crimes committed by migrants. Ortiz-Vite’s case became a focal point of Trump’s claims, setting off a discussion about immigration policy and its impact on public safety. The tragic nature of Garcia’s death brought attention to the complexities and challenges of immigration enforcement in the country.
The case of Brandon Ortiz-Vite killing Ruby Garcia shed light on the personal tragedy caused by violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants. The emotional impact on Garcia’s family and community was significant, with her loved ones left grieving for an incredible young woman known for her contagious laughter and positive presence. The aftermath of the murder will involve legal proceedings, sentencing, and potential deportation for Ortiz-Vite, raising questions about accountability and justice in cases involving illegal immigrants. The broader political context surrounding the case, including Trump’s rhetoric and policy implications, adds layers of complexity to the discussion of immigration and crime in the U.S.
