Bill Overview
Title: Justice for Angel Families Act
Description: This bill expands the allowable uses of state compensation payments for crime victims to include certain expenses for angel families. Angel family refers to the immediate family members of any individual who is a victim of homicide committed by (1) an individual who is unlawfully present in the United States, or (2) a member of an international criminal organization involved in the unlawful trafficking of controlled substances. The bill also reestablishes the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office within the Department of Homeland Security.
Sponsors: Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]
Target Audience
Population: Families of homicide victims by unlawfully present individuals or international drug traffickers
Estimated Size: 800
- The term 'angel families' refers specifically to families of homicide victims where the perpetrator is either unlawfully present in the US or involved in internationally organized drug trafficking.
- In 2019, there were approximately 16,425 homicides in the United States, but not all were committed by individuals unlawfully present or associated with international drug trafficking organizations.
- Assuming that a small fraction of these homicides (possibly around 5%) falls into this category, we estimate that there might be a few hundred to few thousand families per year affected within the US.
- Globally, this bill mainly impacts US residents, specifically 'angel families', but the global scope would consider international crime dynamics where the US victims are involved.
- Estimating the exact number globally is complex due to variances in international crime reporting and legal immigration status data.
Reasoning
- The term 'angel families' refers specifically to families of homicide victims where the perpetrator is either unlawfully present in the US or involved in internationally organized drug trafficking.
- The policy targets a small fraction of the total homicide cases in the US, estimated at 800 families affected annually.
- The bill's budget constraints indicate a limited capacity to provide support, implying a focused impact on those directly identified as 'angel families.'
- Wellbeing outcomes will significantly depend on how much financial relief these families actually receive relative to their needs.
- Wider community effects may be negligible due to the policy's narrow target group and budget.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (San Diego, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel like the government acknowledging our struggles is a step in the right direction.
- Financial compensation won't bring back my son, but it might help cover therapy costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Truck Driver (Houston, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I just want justice for my daughter. If this policy helps others hold criminals accountable, it's useful.
- I could use the financial resources to cover legal costs and therapy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cashier (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm skeptical about how much help this policy will actually bring us.
- The reestablishment of the Victims Office could be beneficial for awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Unemployed (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to see some action being taken, but I'm unsure if it'll affect me directly.
- Programs should also focus on preventing these crimes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The financial support will help with expenses but the emotional loss remains.
- Important to strengthen border security to prevent such crimes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the policy brings awareness to the issue, even if it doesn't directly benefit me.
- Funeral costs were overwhelming; any help is welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Nurse (New York, NY)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the policy, but we also need long-term solutions.
- Emotional support provisions are as crucial as financial in these situations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Business Owner (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The office within Homeland Security might deter future crimes.
- Financial assistance will relieve some burden.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Social Worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Compensation offers some relief but doesn't fix the systemic issues.
- I hope these policies establish preventive measures as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Teacher (Dallas, TX)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's small solace to know that our tragedy might lead to broader change.
- Reparations would help with living expenses after my husband's income was lost.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $6400000 (Low: $4000000, High: $12000000)
Year 2: $6500000 (Low: $4100000, High: $12100000)
Year 3: $6600000 (Low: $4200000, High: $12300000)
Year 5: $6800000 (Low: $4300000, High: $12500000)
Year 10: $7100000 (Low: $4500000, High: $13000000)
Year 100: $9000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $16000000)
Key Considerations
- The number of families qualifying as 'angel families' depends on specific circumstances relating to immigration and organized crime activities.
- Reestablishing the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office involves both reallocation of resources and potential recruitment within the DHS.
- Impacts on local state compensation funds need to be evaluated based on existing state programs and federal support dynamics.