Justice for Angel Families Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3362
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T06:45:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Justice for Angel Families Act aims to expand support for families of crime victims, particularly those affected by crimes committed by undocumented immigrants or members of international drug trafficking organizations. It authorizes grants through existing victim compensation programs and establishes a dedicated office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide services to victims of such crimes.
Key Provisions
- Expansion of Victim Compensation Grants:
- Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to allow state-operated compensation programs to cover:
- General victims and survivors of criminal violence (e.g., drunk driving, domestic violence) for medical expenses (including mental health care) from physical injuries, lost wages from physical injuries, and funeral costs from deaths caused by compensable crimes.
- "Angel families" (defined as immediate family members of homicide victims killed by unlawfully present immigrants or members of international criminal organizations trafficking controlled substances, such as drug cartels) for medical expenses (including mental health care) from any injury, lost wages due to emotional distress, and funeral costs.
- Establishment of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office:
- Creates an office within DHS, led by a Director, to serve victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants (those inadmissible, deportable, or otherwise unlawfully present under U.S. immigration law) and their family members.
- Key duties include:
- Operating a hotline to provide information on immigration enforcement and removal processes, referrals to social services, automated updates on the perpetrator's custody status, releasable criminal or immigration history, and immediate support services.
- Collecting data on service needs and conducting a case study on improving services for these victims.
- Requires an annual report to Congress starting one year after enactment, covering the case study summary and details on victim demographics, crime locations, crime types, and whether perpetrators committed multiple offenses.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Victims of Crime Act Amendments: Broadens eligibility for federal grants under state compensation programs (34 U.S.C. 20102) by adding coverage for "angel families" and allowing compensation for emotional distress and non-physical injuries in these cases, which was not previously included. It also defines "angel family" specifically tied to immigration status or drug cartel involvement of the perpetrator.
- Homeland Security Act Addition: Inserts a new section (6 U.S.C. 111 et seq.) to establish the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office, a new entity within DHS not previously existing, with defined roles for victim support and reporting. This includes clerical updates to the Act's table of contents.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DHS will need to create and fund the new office, including hotline operations, data collection, and annual reporting, potentially increasing administrative workload and costs. State agencies managing victim compensation programs may see expanded grant usage, requiring adjustments to eligibility criteria.
- On Citizens: Provides financial relief (e.g., for medical care, lost wages, funerals) and practical support (e.g., information on perpetrator status) to families of victims killed by specific perpetrators, potentially improving access to resources for affected individuals. General crime victims' programs remain unchanged but could face indirect resource strain from the expansions.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, though the focus on crimes by undocumented immigrants and drug cartels may influence U.S. policy discussions on border security and cooperation with foreign governments on trafficking issues.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Angel Families and Victims: Immediate family members of homicide victims killed by undocumented immigrants or drug cartel members, who gain new access to compensation and support services.
- General Crime Victims: Survivors of other violent crimes (e.g., domestic violence), whose programs are maintained but potentially share funding with the new expansions.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Responsible for establishing and operating the new office, including reporting to Congress.
- State Governments: Administer expanded compensation programs funded by federal grants.
- Congress: Receives annual reports to oversee the office's effectiveness and impacts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Ties federal victim support to the immigration status of perpetrators (referencing Immigration and Nationality Act sections on inadmissibility and deportability), which may require courts or agencies to verify such status for eligibility. The expansion of compensation to emotional distress claims could set precedents for broader interpretations of "compensable crimes" under the Victims of Crime Act.
- Constitutional Implications: None explicitly raised in the bill, but the focus on crimes by non-citizens could intersect with equal protection concerns if perceived as prioritizing certain victims; however, it builds on existing federal authority over immigration and victim assistance programs.
- Political Implications: Highlights immigration enforcement and border-related crimes, potentially influencing debates on immigration policy and resource allocation for victim services without altering core enforcement laws. The bill's introduction by multiple representatives underscores bipartisan or targeted support for victim advocacy in this context.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Justice for Angel Families Act — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (7 pages)