DHS, ICE announce relaunch of VOICE office to assist victims of crimes involving noncitizens

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the relaunch of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement office — VOICE — at a press event held during National Crime Victims Week. Noem said the office will provide a “victim-centered approach” to support families affected by crimes tied to noncitizens and will coordinate with local victim advocates, law enforcement and federal partners.

The announcement, made alongside acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and Deputy Director Madison Sheehan and staged with several family members who described the deaths or attacks of relatives, came as officials described VOICE’s intended services: help locating victim advocates and social services, notifications on an alien’s custody status, and providing victims opportunities to submit impact statements. “The VOICE office will speak for these that we have lost and it will be a critical part of all the efforts that we undertake,” Noem said.

Why it matters: officials framed the relaunch as restoring a resource for families after the office was closed under the previous administration. ICE leaders and family members said VOICE will centralize assistance…