The "Justice for Angel Families Act" amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to broaden eligibility for victim compensation, specifically authorizing grants for "angel families." These families are defined as the immediate family members of individuals who are victims of homicide committed by an unlawfully present alien or a member of an international criminal organization involved in drug trafficking. The compensation covers medical expenses, lost wages due to injury or emotional distress, and funeral expenses resulting from such crimes. Additionally, the legislation establishes the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICEO) within the Department of Homeland Security. This office is tasked with providing proactive, timely, and professional services to victims of crimes committed by unlawfully present aliens and their family members. VOICEO will operate a hotline to offer support, information on immigration enforcement, referrals to social services, and details about the criminal alien's custody status and history. The office is also mandated to conduct case studies and submit annual reports to Congress detailing the impact of such crimes and the demographics of victims and perpetrators.
The "Justice for Angel Families Act" amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to broaden eligibility for victim compensation, specifically authorizing grants for "angel families." These families are defined as the immediate family members of individuals who are victims of homicide committed by an unlawfully present alien or a member of an international criminal organization involved in drug trafficking. The compensation covers medical expenses, lost wages due to injury or emotional distress, and funeral expenses resulting from such crimes. Additionally, the legislation establishes the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICEO) within the Department of Homeland Security. This office is tasked with providing proactive, timely, and professional services to victims of crimes committed by unlawfully present aliens and their family members. VOICEO will operate a hotline to offer support, information on immigration enforcement, referrals to social services, and details about the criminal alien's custody status and history. The office is also mandated to conduct case studies and submit annual reports to Congress detailing the impact of such crimes and the demographics of victims and perpetrators.