Trump condemns Chandra Nagamallaiah murder, blames Biden’s immigration policies

President Donald Trump on Monday condemned the brutal killing of Indian national Chandra Nagamallaiah in Dallas, Texas, denouncing the Biden administration for allowing the alleged attacker — an undocumented immigrant from Cuba — to remain in the country despite a history of violent crime.

“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… Rest assured, the time for being soft on these Illegal Immigrant Criminals is OVER under my watch," he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The two-time US President further singled out Joe Biden’s immigration policies, saying the suspect had previously been arrested for child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment but was released because Cuba refused to take him back.


In his post, the Republican leader also praised members of his administration, including Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan, for “making America safe again” and pledged that the attacker would face “murder in the first degree.”

Read Also | Who was Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager beheaded in front of his wife and son in US?

Two days after the attack, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun removal proceedings against the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez.

According to DHS, Cobos-Martinez had a history of serious offenses, including child sex abuse and carjacking. He had previously been in ICE custody but was released in January 2025 under an Order of Supervision after Cuba refused to accept his deportation.

The murder & political fallout

Police have said that Nagamallaiah was attacked after a dispute over the use of a broken washing machine at the motel where he lived. Witnesses told investigators that Cobos-Martinez pulled out a machete, chased the victim, and carried out the beheading in front of his wife and young son.

“This gruesome, savage slaying… was completely preventable if this criminal illegal alien was not released into our country,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughli said.

The incident has triggered outrage beyond Trump’s camp. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna called the beheading “horrific,” saying the suspect “should not have been free on American streets” given his record of violent crimes.

The case has reignited the already heated debate over immigration enforcement and deportation policy during Trump's second shot at Presidency.