Apr 26, 2017

ICE opens "VOICE" office to support crime victims

Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly addressed victims of illegal immigration crime at the opening of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICE) Wednesday. The office was initially announced in an executive order from Trump from Jan. 25.

The goal of VOICE is to help people navigate an overcomplicated system after their family members have been subjected to crime committed by illegal immigrants. "We can never fully heal these families, but we can give them a voice," Kelly said. The office will provide quarterly reports on "the effects of victimization by criminal aliens" in the U.S.

How it will work: Immigration and Customs Enforcement will support victims and their families in the aftermath of crimes by directing them to resources — like tracking the immigration custody status of the immigrant in question who committed a crime, or contacting an officer who can explain the immigration enforcement and removal process. As Kelly put it: "All they have to do is dial 1-855-48-VOICE That's 1-855-48-VOICE."

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Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios

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U.S.: Leads the world in cases. Total confirmed cases as of 9 p.m. ET: 103,942 — Total deaths: 1,689 — Total recoveries: 870.
Federal government latest: President Trump signed the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill to provide businesses and U.S. workers economic relief.
State updates: Nearly 92% of cities do not have adequate medical supplies — New York is trying to nearly triple its hospital capacity in less than a month.
World updates: Italy reported 969 coronavirus deaths on Friday, the country's deadliest day.
Business latest: President Trump authorized the use of the Defense Production Act to direct General Motors to build ventilators for those affected by COVID-19. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has been appointed to enforce the act.
🏰 1 Disney thing: Both Disney World and Disneyland theme parks in the U.S. are closed until further notice.
What should I do? Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing.
Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

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