S.1734 - Justice for Angel Families Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1734, the Justice for Angel Families Act, aims to provide grants to crime victims, specifically targeting families of individuals killed by unlawfully present aliens or members of international criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking. The bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to include "angel families" as eligible for compensation for medical, wage loss, and funeral expenses. It also establishes a Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office within the Department of Homeland Security to support victims of crimes committed by certain aliens.
Expected Effects
The Act would expand victim compensation programs to include families affected by specific crimes involving unlawfully present aliens or international drug cartel members. The Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office would provide resources and support to these families, including a hotline and case study analysis. This could lead to increased support for affected families and potentially influence immigration and crime-related policies.
Potential Benefits
- Provides financial assistance to families who have lost loved ones due to crimes committed by specific individuals.
- Establishes a dedicated office to support victims of crimes committed by unlawfully present aliens, offering resources and information.
- Increases awareness of the impact of such crimes through data collection and reporting.
- Potentially improves the immigration enforcement and removal process by providing insights from victim experiences.
- Offers a hotline for victims and their families to access support and information.
Potential Disadvantages
- May create a perception of unequal treatment by prioritizing certain victims over others based on the perpetrator's immigration status.
- Could strain resources within the Department of Homeland Security to establish and maintain the new office and its functions.
- May be viewed as politically divisive, potentially exacerbating tensions around immigration policy.
- The definition of "angel families" is narrow and may exclude other deserving victims of crime.
- Potential for misuse or politicization of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office.
Constitutional Alignment
While the bill itself doesn't directly infringe upon specific constitutional rights, the focus on crimes committed by specific groups of individuals (unlawfully present aliens) could raise concerns about equal protection under the law. The Fifth Amendment ensures due process and equal protection, and the implementation of this act would need to ensure fairness and avoid discriminatory practices. The establishment of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office falls under the powers granted to Congress to regulate immigration and establish laws related to national security and public safety.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).