Angel mom Mary Ann Mendoza speaks during a Senate hearing on Oct. 22, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)
An Arizona mother whose son was killed by an illegal immigrant says the Biden administration’s border policy will “absolutely” create more “angel families.
“Angel families” are the relatives of people killed by illegal immigrants.
“It’s the saddest thing for me,” Mary Ann Mendoza told Feb. 8, “and I’ve been talking about it for 5 1/2 years.”
Mendoza’s son Brandon was killed in a 2014 crash in which the perpetrator, an illegal immigrant who was drunk and high on methamphetamine, drove against the speed limit on a highway in Mesa, Ariz. Brandon was a sergeant (sergeant) on the Mesa police force and was 32 years old at the Time.
“Biden has decided to open our borders and every one of our lives is at stake,” she said, “and now this is going to be a super highway.”
President Biden has issued an executive order halting construction of the border wall, ending the Remain in Mexico program – which restarted the “catch and release” practice – and suspending deportations, among other actions.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a Feb. 8 news conference that ICE will not prioritize deportation of illegal immigrants charged with driving under the influence (including driving under the influence of drugs) or assault.
“The priority in enforcing immigration laws will be placed on those who pose a threat to national security; followed, of course, by those who pose a threat to public safety, and those who have recently arrived,” Psaki said, adding that “no one is saying that DUI or assault is acceptable behavior, and those who are arrested for these types of activities should be properly tried and sentenced by local law enforcement. But we’re talking about the priority of who will be deported.”
In fiscal year 2020, ICE removed 185,884 illegal immigrants, 92 percent of whom had criminal convictions or criminal charges in proceedings. For that year, the most common crime was DUI, with a total of more than 55,000.
Ms. Mendoza said she believes the current removal of security measures is primarily about undoing Trump‘s political legacy and not about anything else.
“I really feel that this is a quick action without really considering what it will ultimately bring to the country.” She said.
“We already have a record number of Americans out of work right now.”
Ms. Mendoza said the lax enforcement measures mean more illegal immigrants will come in and be hired at lower wages, replacing American workers.
She predicted that the threat at the border will increase this year, with some families and unaccompanied minors paying drug cartels and smuggling organizations to enter the United States.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Feb. 9 that it will reopen mobile tent facilities in Texas due to the influx of illegal immigrants across the border.
Sgt. Brandon, son of Mary Ann Mendoza, was killed by an illegal immigrant as she stood next to the Rio Grande, the border between the U.S. and Mexico, on Nov. 5, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)
During the Trump era, Ms. Mendoza was able to advise on policy when the administration opened the Office of Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) within the Department of Homeland Security to understand and assist victims of illegal immigration crimes.
“President Trump actually took the time to listen to us. He knows what changes must be made to make our country safer.” Mendoza said.
Now under Biden’s policies, she said, “It’s almost like my 5 1/2 years of work has been completely shattered and I feel like I’m going to start all over again.”
The White House and INS were contacted to ask if the VOICE office would continue to operate under the Biden Administration.
“We have not made any new statements regarding the VOICE office,” An ICE spokesman said.
Ms. Mendoza said it was hypocritical that construction of the border wall was halted while the fence was erected around Washington.
She said members of Congress put up fences around the U.S. Capitol “out of fear or dread” with sharp barbed wire and had the National Guard outside to protect them.
“So these (members of Congress) are more important than everyone else who lives here?” Mendoza said.
“After you have a Family member killed, like some Angel families, (family members) are murdered, assassinated, like Grant Ronnebeck, it will make you put perspective on how safe the country feels. And they don’t even think about that.”
Grant Ronnebeck was working as a clerk at a convenience store in downtown Phoenix in 2015 when Apolinar Altamirano, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was charged with the shooting death of the 21-year-old.
“I’m really scared for our country, I really am.” Mendoza said.
Recent Comments