In the wake of a year marked by unprecedented illegal border crossings, Republican legislators have announced their intention to erect a memorial in honor of American citizens who have tragically lost their lives due to violence perpetrated by illegal immigrants.
The announcement was made at a press conference on Friday afternoon.
As reported by Fox News, the initiative is being led by Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., who believes the memorial will stand as a stark reminder of the consequences of flawed policy. "This bill authorizes a permanent national memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring U.S. citizens and lawful residents whose lives are taken by individuals unlawfully present in the United States," stated Hamadeh.
He further criticized the political figures who allowed such circumstances to arise, stating, "But in many ways, it also shames the politicians who allowed this situation to happen."
The press conference saw the participation of several 'angel families'those who have suffered personal loss due to this issuealongside members of The American Border Story (TABS), an organization committed to chronicling the ongoing crisis at the U.S. southern border. Nicole Kiprilov, TABS Executive Director, expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for his administration's efforts to curb immigration-related crime.
"Id like to thank President Trump for leading an historic administration that has put these victims and families at the center of our immigration agenda," Kiprilov said. She further praised the Trump administration's relentless efforts to secure the border and prevent such tragedies from recurring, a situation she attributed to the Biden administration.
Hamadeh's proposal is intended to highlight the stark contrast between the immigration policies of the Biden and Trump administrations. This announcement coincides with the recent disclosure by the Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it had deported over 2.5 million illegal immigrants in less than a year.
Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection reveals that encounters at the U.S. Southern Border reached a record high last year, with over 300,000 encounters in December 2024. However, nearly a year later, the number of encounters has plummeted to a mere 11,600 this past September.
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., who was also present at Fridays event, argued that these figures reflect two distinct attitudes towards law enforcement in the country. He criticized the Biden administration's decision to allow immigrants with pending asylum claims to enter the United States before their cases are adjudicated, stating, "They ended the remain in Mexico policy, restarted catch and release."
The 'angel families' present at the event expressed their indignation over the continued existence of such policies, particularly those that shield illegal immigrants with criminal records. Jennifer Boss, a grieving parent, shared the heartbreaking story of her daughter's murder, allegedly committed by an illegal immigrant who was subsequently released.
"He was let go the day after he was arrested. Illinois gave him grace and freedom in the name of fairness with their policies. And let him go. They also protected him from being picked up from ICE. Again, because of their policies," Boss said.
Kiprilov emphasized that the proposed memorial would not only serve as a testament to a tragic period in American history but also as a reminder of the critical importance of robust immigration policy. "Todays legislation, the American Border Story Memorial, is about truth, memory and accountability," Kiprilov said.
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