The Department of Homeland Security featured three fathers who lost children, and pointed victims’ families to a federal hotline offering custody information and support services
The Department of Homeland Security marked Father’s Day by recognizing families affected by violent crimes the agency links to illegal immigration, and by highlighting its Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office, known as VOICE.
According to DHS, the agency featured three fathers —
Marcus Coleman,
Joe Abraham, and
Doug Quets — who lost or nearly lost children to violent incidents. In statements provided by the agency, each spoke about their grief and their advocacy. Coleman, whose daughter was seriously injured in a crash, said being a father means “protecting, advocating, and refusing to stay silent.” Abraham, whose 20-year-old daughter Katie was killed by a drunk driver, said his family was again facing her absence and that he was grateful her memory had been recognized. Quets, whose 31-year-old son Nicholas was killed by cartel members in Mexico in 2024, said he was grateful for federal action designating certain cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The fathers’ statements included criticism of prior federal immigration policies, reflecting their own views.
DHS said the VOICE office, which it said was relaunched under the current administration after being closed under the previous one, uses a victim-centered approach to provide information and services to people affected by crimes with a connection to immigration.
What the VOICE Office Offers
According to ICE, the office fielded nearly 900 calls over the past year, with 87% coming from victims or their family members. The agency said callers most often sought case-status information about offenders in custody or requested victim services and referrals. ICE said the office provides offender custody information, guidance on enforcement and removal, referrals to victim-assistance resources, registration for the DHS Victim Information Notification Exchange, and support from trained staff.
The agency said victims, family members, advocates, and witnesses seeking help can contact the VOICE Office hotline toll-free at 855-48-VOICE (855-488-6423), available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.
