Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced the reopening of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office, which was closed by the previous administration. The move, led by Secretary Noem, aims to provide support and resources to Americans affected by crimes committed by individuals residing in the country illegally.
Secretary Noem emphasized the significance of relaunching the office, stating: "I met with Angel Families who lost a loved one because of an illegal alien who should never have been in our country. The previous administration ignored these families and the other victims of illegal alien crime. With the re-launching of the VOICE Office, we are giving victims and their families access to resources and support services. President Trump and I will continue to remove criminal illegal aliens from our streets and make America safe again."
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons expressed support for the initiative, adding: "Illegal aliens harming American citizens is unconscionable. But now, thanks to President Trump, we’re able to help people victimized by criminal aliens through the VOICE Office. I’m extremely proud of ICE’s entire workforce — the officers and agents on the ground who are enforcing immigration law fairly, the support staff who pull these operations together and handle logistics, and those who help shine a light on those who have suffered harm at illegal aliens’ hands."
The VOICE Office offers a range of services aimed at assisting crime victims and their families. These include guidance on the immigration enforcement and removal process, notifications about the custody status of individuals in ICE custody, access to criminal or immigration history information, assistance with providing victim impact statements, and connections to social services and local resources.
Initially launched in 2017, the office serves as a dedicated resource for those impacted by crimes with immigration-related elements.
