UMVA has learned that on this Father's Day, a group of fathers bound together by tragedy are being honored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for their heart-wrenching stories of loss and pain.
These fathers, known as Angel Dads, have seen their lives forever changed by the deaths or catastrophic injuries of their children in crimes tied to illegal aliens and cartel-linked criminals. Their stories serve as a haunting reminder of the lasting impact of illegal immigrant crime on American families.
According to information obtained by UMVA, DHS is recognizing the stories of three Angel Dads: Marcus Coleman, Joe Abraham, and Doug Quets. Their lives were shattered by the loss of their children, and their experiences now fuel advocacy efforts to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
Joe Abraham's daughter, Katie, was just 20 years old when she was killed in a crash caused by an illegal immigrant driving drunk. This Father's Day, Abraham is confronting the painful reality of another celebration without his child. "This Father's Day, our family is once again facing the unimaginable reality that Katie is not here," he said, his voice heavy with grief.
Doug Quets' son, Nicholas, a Marine Corps veteran, was ambushed and killed in a horrific failed carjacking by Sinaloa affiliated cartel members. Quets believes his son's death demonstrates the dangers posed by cartel violence and failed border security policies. "The terrorists, emboldened by failed policies, pursued Nick in eleven vehicles stolen from U.S. citizens on both sides of the border," he said, his words dripping with anguish.
Marcus Coleman's daughter, Dalilah, suffered catastrophic injuries in a crash involving an illegal immigrant. Unlike Abraham and Quets, Coleman is not mourning the death of a child but has spent years caring for and advocating on behalf of his daughter while pushing for reforms to prevent similar tragedies. "Dalilah changed my life forever," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
The VOICE office, relaunched under a previous administration, provides support, offender custody information, victim services, and guidance to families affected by crimes with an immigration nexus. In the past year, the office has fielded nearly 900 calls, with 87% of callers being victims or family members who identified 815 crimes linked to immigration violations.
For fathers like Abraham, Quets, and Coleman, however, no government office can restore what was taken from them. This Father's Day, while families across the country celebrate with their children, Angel Dads are remembering the sons and daughters they lost, and their stories serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of illegal immigrant crime.
