Grief Weaponized for Wrong Ends
Angel Families, parents mourning children killed by undocumented immigrants, shared their anguish in a letter to Congress, reported by the New York Post on May 21, 2025. Their plea for President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill tugs at the heart. Families of Jocelyn Nungaray and Laken Riley, among others, demand action. Their pain is undeniable, but this bill twists their loss into a call for policies that won’t bring safety or peace.
No one questions the devastation these families face. Their voices matter. Yet, the solution they’re championing, with $46.5 billion for walls, 10,000 new Border Patrol agents, and 100,000 detention beds, misses the mark. It promises security but ignores evidence about what truly protects communities. Why build a fortress when the data points to smarter, more humane answers?
Debunking the Immigrant Crime Scare
Facts cut through fear. A National Institute of Justice study from 2012 to 2018 in Texas revealed undocumented immigrants were arrested at less than half the rate of U.S. citizens for violent crimes and a quarter the rate for property crimes. Nationwide, immigrants face lower incarceration rates than native-born Americans. These findings, consistent across decades, challenge the narrative behind Trump’s bill. Why target a group less likely to harm?
Cases like Laken Riley’s murder, committed by a Venezuelan gang member, dominate headlines. Certain media outlets amplify these tragedies, framing immigrants as dangers. Research shows local papers often prioritize negative immigration-crime stories, even when crime rates fall. This selective focus distorts truth, fueling support for harsh policies. Are we letting sensationalism override reason?
Advocates for the bill, including Angel Families, demand accountability. Their call resonates, but the response must be precise. Mass deportation, aiming for 1 million removals yearly, punishes broadly instead of targeting actual threats. A focused approach, deporting verified criminals, would respect victims without tearing communities apart. Why choose division over discernment?
A Path to True Safety
Real solutions exist. Policymakers advocating comprehensive reform propose legal migration pathways, robust asylum protections, and aid to address migration’s root causes, like violence and poverty. The WISE Act would eliminate U visa caps, protect immigrant survivors, and ensure access to services. These steps reduce irregular crossings while fostering stability. Why opt for walls when we can build bridges to safety?
Angel Families, through groups like Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime, have influenced laws like the Justice for Angel Families Act, securing victim support. Their efforts deserve respect. But linking their grief to policies that alienate immigrant communities undermines progress. Sanctuary policies and legal aid strengthen trust, aiding law enforcement. Why risk that trust with fear-driven laws?
Border crossings dropped sharply, from 10,000 daily in 2023 to under 300 by April 2025, due to effective policies. This success shows enforcement can work without dehumanizing tactics. The bill’s push for militarization, backed by those prioritizing political gain, ignores these gains. Why sabotage what’s working for the sake of rhetoric?
Choosing Justice Over Fear
Angel Families deserve healing, but Trump’s bill exploits their pain for policies that divide. Comprehensive reform, rooted in evidence and empathy, prevents crime, supports victims, and honors humanity. We can remember Jocelyn and Laken by fostering unity, not exclusion.
Security comes from smart policies, not fearmongering. Reforms prioritizing people—victims, immigrants, citizens—deliver results. Let’s embrace solutions that mend, not fracture, our nation. Will we choose a future of compassion, or let grief be manipulated into harm?