Grieving Mother’s Testimony: Marine Vet Son Killed by Illegal Immigrants in Texas Ambush

In a heart-wrenching testimony before Congress, Marie Vega, a legal immigrant from Mexico, recounted the tragic loss of her son, Javier "Harvey" Vega Jr., a U.S. Marine veteran and Border Patrol officer. The incident, which occurred in July 2014 on their property in La Feria, Texas, turned a joyful family barbecue into a scene of unimaginable horror when two illegal immigrants ambushed them in a violent attempt to steal their trucks.

Without warning, the attackers opened fire on the unsuspecting family. Harvey and his father fought back, but the young Marine was fatally shot in the chest. His last words to his father, "Keep shooting, Dad," echoed as a desperate call to protect the family. Vega’s husband sustained permanent injuries, while she, her daughter-in-law, and young grandchildren were left deeply traumatized by the ordeal.

Through tears, Vega described the unbearable pain of watching her son fall and the chaos of shielding her grandchildren from bullets. "Open borders have consequences," she declared, emphasizing the lifelong anguish her family endures due to this preventable tragedy. She revealed that the attackers had prior criminal records and had been previously deported, raising sharp questions about the enforcement of immigration laws.

Vega’s testimony during the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on "Biden’s Border Betrayal" was a powerful plea for accountability. She urged lawmakers to honor their oath to protect citizens by ensuring proper vetting and enforcement of immigration policies. "Had our laws been enforced, my son would still be here," she asserted, her voice a haunting reminder of the personal cost of policy failures.

Her story is not just a family’s loss but a stark illustration of broader systemic issues. For 11 years, Vega has lived with survivor’s guilt, sleepless nights, and the absence of her son during life’s milestones. Her words challenge us to consider the human toll of unchecked borders and the urgent need for reform.