Key Takeaways
• Justice for Angel Families Act offers financial aid and permanent VOICE Office to support crime victims from illegal immigrant offenses.
• VOICE Office, reopened in April 2025, provides updates and assistance to families affected by crimes involving undocumented immigrants.
• Republican lawmakers and advocacy groups strongly back the bill to ease burdens on families who lost loved ones to immigrant crime.
Families who have lost loved ones due to crimes committed by illegal immigrants, often known as Angel Families, are once again urging lawmakers to pass the Justice for Angel Families Act. The debate over this proposed law highlights not just the pain these families feel but also the challenges and changes in U.S. immigration policy. Let’s look closely at what Angel Families are asking for, what the Justice for Angel Families Act aims to do, and how the reopening of the VOICE Office could change the way America responds to immigrant crime victims.
Who Are Angel Families and Why Are They Speaking Out?
Angel Families is a term used to describe people whose close family members were killed by illegal immigrants in the United States. For years, these families have shared their stories as part of a broad push for new laws to help others like them. They believe that the government has not done enough to protect them or to support them after their losses.
According to Angel Families and the groups supporting them, the loss of a family member is made even more painful by financial trouble, medical bills, and funeral costs. These families also say that when crimes are committed by people who should not have been in the country to begin with, the pain can feel worse. Because of this, Angel Families are calling on Congress to adopt laws that help them deal with the results of such tragedies.
What Is the Justice for Angel Families Act?
The Justice for Angel Families Act is a piece of legislation in Congress, supported mostly by Republicans, that seeks to give direct help to Angel Families. This law would change several aspects of how crime victims are treated under federal law. Its main features include:
- Changing the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) so that it covers Angel Families. This means that relatives of people killed by illegal immigrants could get help from a fund normally used for victims of crime in general.
- Providing money from the federal government to pay for things like medical expenses, lost income, and funeral costs. These are some of the largest expenses facing Angel Families.
- Making permanent the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office within the Department of Homeland Security. This office was first set up by President Trump in 2017 to give information and services to Angel Families but was closed under President Biden in June 2021. The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, reopened the VOICE Office in April 2025. The proposed law would now require this office to stay open—no matter who is president—in the future.
The Justice for Angel Families Act has both House and Senate versions. In the Senate, it was brought back by Senator Roger Marshall from Kansas, with co-sponsors such as Senators Ted Budd from North Carolina, Kevin Cramer from North Dakota, and Bill Cassidy from Louisiana. In the House, Representative Troy Nehls from Texas led the charge, along with other members including Paul Gosar from Arizona, Don Bacon from Nebraska, and several representatives from Texas and other states.
What Is the VOICE Office and Why Does It Matter?
The VOICE Office stands for Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement. Created by President Trump in 2017, its main purpose was to support Angel Families by giving them updates and information about the criminals involved in their family member’s death. The VOICE Office also helped these families navigate federal services and resources, offering a place to turn for answers during some of their darkest days.
However, in June 2021, President Biden’s administration shut the VOICE Office down, saying the department would take a new direction by creating an office to deal with all citizenship and immigration concerns, not just those affected by immigrant-related crime. This decision upset many Angel Families.
In April 2025, with Secretary Kristi Noem at the head of the Department of Homeland Security, the VOICE Office was reopened. The Justice for Angel Families Act goes even further by making the VOICE Office a permanent part of government, so future presidents and leaders cannot close it easily. This move is meant to protect Angel Families from the ups and downs of political change.
For more information about the roles and activities of the Department of Homeland Security, you can visit the official DHS page.
What Are Lawmakers Saying and Who Supports the Act?
Republican lawmakers have loudly supported the Justice for Angel Families Act. Senator Roger Marshall and Representative Troy Nehls, who brought the legislation back to Congress, say that the bill offers real help to families who have lost so much. Other co-sponsors echo these thoughts, agreeing that Angel Families should have more rights and better support from the federal government.
But support for the bill is not just within Congress. Several groups have joined Angel Families in pushing for this law to pass, including the Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime, NumbersUSA, the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE), the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), and Texans for Strong Borders. These groups often focus on stricter immigration rules and protections for American citizens.
Don Rosenberg, who is the President and Treasurer of Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime, spoke clearly about why the bill matters so much to those it is meant to help: “Financial compensation will never replace the loss of a loved one, but the ‘Justice for Angel Families Act’ will at least reduce the financial burden faced by those families who have been betrayed by the failure of some in our government to uphold the rule of law.” This statement reflects both the pain felt by Angel Families and the larger discussion about how to protect American communities.
How Could This Law Change Things for Angel Families?
If the Justice for Angel Families Act becomes law, it could mean real relief for Angel Families in several ways:
- Financial Help: By changing the Crime Victims Fund, Angel Families could get help with paying for medical bills, missed paychecks, and funeral costs, which are some of the biggest challenges after such losses.
- Stronger Voice in Government: With the VOICE Office locked in as a permanent part of the Department of Homeland Security, Angel Families would have a direct link to government services and updates about their cases.
- Long-term Stability: Right now, what the government offers can change based on who is president or which party is in power. This law would offer a set of rules and support that cannot be taken away easily, giving Angel Families consistency and peace of mind.
- Recognition: The act is also seen as a way for the government to admit that Angel Families have special needs and deserve extra help. This kind of recognition matters to many families who feel ignored or left behind.
What’s the Debate Surrounding the Justice for Angel Families Act?
While many Republican lawmakers and advocacy groups support the act, not everyone sees the bill the same way. Some believe it could unfairly single out one group and focus too much on crimes involving illegal immigrants, instead of treating all crime victims equally. Others say that using federal money for one small group takes away resources from other victims who also need help.
There are also debates about how the VOICE Office should operate. Some support it as a direct way for Angel Families to get information and help. Others say a broader approach—helping all victims, no matter who committed the crime—might make more sense and avoid dividing people based on citizenship or immigration status.
Still, for Angel Families and those backing the bill, these questions do not lessen their pain or their feeling that the government has let them down. They say the law is a necessary step in making things right for them.
The Push for Action: How Angel Families Are Making Their Voices Heard
Angel Families have not waited for lawmakers to act. Over the past months, many have appeared at press conferences, public meetings, and interviews to share their stories. They describe not just the sorrow of losing a loved one but also the struggle to pay bills, cover funeral costs, and move forward.
Their message is clear: they want Congress to pass the Justice for Angel Families Act now. By doing so, they believe lawmakers can finally begin to repay a debt to families whose lives were cut short by what they see as failures in immigration enforcement.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this push from Angel Families is more than just a call for money or services. It is also a call for the country to recognize and do something about the lasting pain these families feel. VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that many Angel Families believe that, while no law or payment can take away their grief, giving real support makes a difficult situation a little more bearable.
The Broader Context: How Immigration Policy Affects Angel Families
Immigration is one of the most debated topics in U.S. politics. Over the past decade, changes in laws, border controls, and immigration enforcement have been regular topics in Congress and on the campaign trail. The story of Angel Families fits into this wider debate, raising tough questions about how best to protect communities, treat survivors fairly, and balance the needs of all crime victims.
The Justice for Angel Families Act—and the push to protect the VOICE Office—shows how some lawmakers believe in giving extra help to those hurt by illegal immigration. Whether or not this law passes, the attention on Angel Families highlights deep feelings and disagreements about how the American immigration system works and who deserves support.
Conclusion: What Lies Ahead for Angel Families, the VOICE Office, and U.S. Lawmakers?
The Justice for Angel Families Act is more than just a bill; it is a public statement about how the government sees and treats families affected by crimes involving illegal immigrants. The strong push by Angel Families has made their struggles more visible and their needs harder to ignore.
Supporters say the law would ease some of the worst burdens facing Angel Families, mainly by giving money to help cover costs and by keeping the VOICE Office open for good. Critics, on the other hand, question whether focusing only on one group is fair or the best use of government funds.
As Congress considers the bill, Angel Families and their supporters continue to speak up, pressing for recognition and support. Whether or not the Justice for Angel Families Act passes, their advocacy has made an impact, reminding lawmakers and the public that the effects of immigration policy are not just political—they are deeply personal and often heartbreaking.
For readers interested in learning more about policies for victims of crime and ongoing legislative efforts, the official Congress.gov page for S.3209 offers the full text of the Justice for Angel Families Act. Their stories, the debate, and the bill itself all raise an important question for America: how can the country best help those who have lost the most? The answer is still being decided in Congress—and in the hearts of people across the nation.
Learn Today
Angel Families → Families who lost members due to crimes committed by illegal immigrants in the United States.
Justice for Angel Families Act → Proposed law providing financial aid and permanent support through the VOICE Office for affected families.
VOICE Office → Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office created to support families affected by immigrant-related crimes.
Crime Victims Fund (CVF) → Federal fund that provides financial support to victims of crimes, proposed to include Angel Families.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → U.S. government department overseeing immigration, border security, and support offices like the VOICE Office.
This Article in a Nutshell
Angel Families, who lost loved ones to crimes by illegal immigrants, push for the Justice for Angel Families Act. This law aims to provide financial support and make the VOICE Office permanent. Reopened in 2025, VOICE aids families with information and services, ensuring lasting government assistance for these victims.
— By VisaVerge.com
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