Press Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

THIS IS OUR WHY: Trump Administration Welcomes Angel Families to D.C. to Mark the One-Year Re-Opening of VOICE Office  The VOICE office was shuttered by the Biden administration, leaving many victims of alien crime without access to many key support services and resources  WASHINGTON – Today, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) welcomed Angel Families to Washington, D.C. to mark the one-year anniversary of the re-opening of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office. This office provides support to victims and their families who had their lives irreparably harmed due to alien crime.   VOICE was created during the first Trump Administration—only for the Biden Administration to shutter its doors and leave victims of illegal alien crime without access to many key support services and resources. Last year on April 9th, the Trump administration re-opened the VOICE office and put American victims and their families first.   The VOICE Office helps victims of crime and their families by:  Helping victims follow and understand the immigration enforcement and removal process. Signing up victims to receive automated custody status information on criminal aliens in ICE custody. Providing additional criminal or immigration history about illegal aliens to victims or their families. Explaining where a victim may have the opportunity to provide a victim impact statement in applicable cases. Giving access to social service professionals and local contacts who can help connect victims to resources and service providers. Over the past year, the VOICE Office fielded nearly 900 calls from victims, family members and advocates seeking information and assistance. Among those calls, 32% involved violent assault, 15% involved rape or sexual assault, 9% involved homicide or manslaughter, 7% involved family or partner violence, and 6% involved stalking or intimidation.   Three “Angel Mothers,” whose children were killed or permanently injured and lives forever changed by criminal illegal aliens — Jennifer Bos, Patricia Fox, and Agnes Gibboney — shared their powerful stories during the press conference.  “President Trump has so passionately tried to honor and support Angel Families,” said Angel Mother Jennifer Bos. “He created the VOICE office in his first term. The Biden, administration didn’t have any use for it, so they shut it down and it had just been reopened when I received the call telling me they were here to help us. They would tell us how to track Megan’s perpetrator while he was in custody, and they offered to connect us to local support services. They were there to listen to our needs, and they would help us anyway they could. It was very reassuring.”  Megan Bos “Thank you for the only justice and closure that my family will ever receive,” said Angel Mother Patricia Fox. “Thank you, President Trump. Thank you, DHS and everybody that’s here. I am inspired by the other Angel families who are up here. And I pray that there is not another Angel Family that joins us. Illegal immigration is not a victimless crime. There are repercussions and my family lives it every day.”  Carissa Aspnes “When I connected with the ICE VOICE office it gave me something I desperately needed: peace of mind was one,” said Angel Mother Agnes Gibboney. “In the middle of fear and confusion, I had someone to call, I had someone that could give me answers to questions the California Department of Corrections wouldn’t, and someone who would be there to listen to me. That mattered more to me than I can put into words, and it still does, and I still refer other families to VOICE because I know the value of the office because I truly believe in it.”  Ronald Da Silva “President Trump and I will never stop fighting for justice for the American victims and their families who have been harmed by illegal aliens who should have never been in our country,” said Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “Too often the media ignores the victims and their stories. These victims and their families are why we work around the clock to arrest and deport illegal aliens from our communities. All of these crimes were completely preventable.” “These numbers represent real people, individuals, and families who have experienced unimaginable harm and are looking for answers, support, and accountability.” said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “The VOICE Office exists to ensure they are heard, informed, and treated with dignity they deserve. Behind every statistic is a person, and we remain committed to meeting their needs.”  Of illegal aliens arrested by ICE law enforcement, nearly 70% have committed a crime or been charged with a crime in the U.S. DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.

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