News   /   Human Rights

Homeland Security opens office for victims of alien crimes

US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly speaks during a news conference April 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photos by AFP)

An office has started working within the US Department of Homeland Security to deal with victims of crimes committed by the so-called illegal immigrants.

Via an executive order in late January, US President Donald Trump directed the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office to be established by the department.

"There’s nothing but goodness in what we’re doing today in establishing this office, as it’s an outreach to victims of these crimes," Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly (pictured below) announced Wednesday.

It is said the office would act as a liaison between US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.

"Victims of all types of crimes can get information from various resources about what's happened to the perpetrators in the criminal justice system, but there wasn't anyone there to be able to tell them what's happening on the immigration side," said Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan.

He further acknowledged that the measure would not be welcomed by many in the United States.

"People are going to criticize whatever we do," Lapan said. "Our point is to give a voice to this particular group of individuals who hasn't had that."

Spreading fear

During a joint session of Congress in February, the US president referenced his January 25 executive order, saying, "I have ordered the Department of Homeland Security to create an office to serve American victims. The office is called VOICE, Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement.”

Based on the order, VOICE is required to provide "quarterly reports studying the effects of the victimization by criminal aliens present in the United States."

Border Patrol agents and fellow Homeland Security officers load up on BBQ on April 13, 2017 in Bandera, Texas.

According to Arizona Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego, the measure is nothing but propaganda, meant to “spread fear.”  

"It's a piece of propaganda pushed by the Trump administration that's going to spread fear about a community," he told The Hill.

Since he started campaigning for the 2016 presidential election, Trump has been unpopular figure among US minorities, including Muslims and Hispanics.

The Republican president has vowed to crack down on immigration but has failed to get his complete agenda through so far.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku