Joe Abraham’s daughter, Katie, was tragically killed by an illegal immigrant driver on January 19, 2025, in Illinois. The incident has sparked a powerful call for stricter immigration enforcement and policy reform. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ to honor Katie’s memory, aiming to enforce laws that protect families like hers.
Abraham, who was initially hesitant to allow DHS to honor his daughter’s memory, grew convinced after understanding the operation’s goals. He explained that Katie was a passenger in a car stopped at a red light when an illegal immigrant, driving drunk at nearly 80 miles per hour, crashed into the back of their vehicle. The driver, Julio Cucul-Bol, a Guatemalan national in the United States illegally and using false Mexican identification, stole from them a bright, loving young woman with her whole life ahead of her.
The tragedy was compounded by the driver’s refusal to provide aid, leading to Katie’s death. Abraham argues that if Cucul-Bol had not been allowed into the country against federal law, his deadly actions would not have occurred. He criticizes Illinois politicians for their failure to prioritize public safety over political considerations, particularly in the context of sanctuary policies that have allowed individuals to enter the country illegally. Abraham emphasizes that open-border policies have created a dangerous environment, where the influx of individuals without proper checks has led to tragedies like Katie’s.
Abraham has called for accountability and reform, stating that preventing chaos on the front end is far more effective than dealing with the consequences of failed policies. He has repeatedly challenged Illinois politicians to explain how they balanced public safety with open-border and sanctuary policies. The lack of clear answers has left many questioning the effectiveness and integrity of current immigration policies.
Furthermore, Abraham highlights the professionalism and dedication of DHS and ICE agents, calling on critics of these agencies to engage with them directly to understand their efforts to protect communities. He argues that these agents are not the villains some politicians and activists portray them to be, but rather committed individuals working tirelessly to restore order and balance after years of neglect.
Abraham concludes his statement by expressing a deep sense of loss and anger over Katie’s death, calling for Illinois politicians to be held accountable for their inaction and advocating for ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ as a step toward bringing accountability and safety back to the immigration system.