DHS Secretary John F. Kelly announced yesterday the official launch of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (“VOICE”), designed to assist victims of crimes committed by removable criminal foreign nationals.The VOICE office was created in response to the Executive Order issued by President Trump on January 25th entitled “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States,which directed DHS to create an office to support victims of crimes committed by removable criminal foreign nationals.
The key objectives of the VOICE office are:
- Use a victim-centered approach to acknowledge and support victims and their families
- Promote awareness of available services to crime victims
- Build collaborate partnerships with community stakeholders assisting victims
ICE has established a toll-free hotline staffed with operators who will triage calls to ensure victims receive the support they need. The number is 1-855-48-VOICE or 1-855-488-6423.