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DHS creates Victims of Immigration Crime Enforcement Office

  1. Original Date Announced

    April 26, 2017

    DHS announces the creation of VOICE ("Victims of Immigration Crime Enforcement") Office within ICE to support victims of crimes committed by "criminal aliens" as part of the effort to implement EO 13768. ICE notes that it has 27 "victim assistance specialists" to offer resources and that it is creating a notification service to help victims track the immigration custody status of noncitizens. [ID #261]

    DHS Press Release: DHS Announces Launch of new Office for Victims of Illegal Immigrant Crime
  2. Effective Date

    April 26, 2017
  3. Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)

    • June 7, 2017

      DHS Victim Information Notification Exchange Fact Sheet

      DHS releases fact sheet on DHS-VINE, which is a web-based system that sends notifications to registrants who have been affected by crimes committed by a removable noncitizen in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

      View Document
    • May 14, 2021

      Exclusive: Trump Created an Office That Highlighted Immigrant Crime. Biden's DHS Plans to Keep It

      Reported: Under the Biden Administration, the Secretary of Homeland Security on May 10, 2021 stated in an interview that the Biden administration plans to keep the VOICE office open.

      View Document
  4.  
  5. Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced

    June 11, 2021

    2021.06.11 ICE launches Victims Engagement and Services Line (VESL)

    This Biden administration policy revokes in its entirety the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

    On June 11, 2021, ICE issued announced the launch of the Victims Engagement and Services Line (VESL) and the concurrent termination of the Victim Of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office created by the Trump administration.

    The new program will serve as a more comprehensive and inclusive victim support system, providing victims with several service options. First, VESL will incorporate ICE's Detention Reporting and Information Line (DRIL), providing victims the ability to report incidents of abuse occurring in ICE detention. Second, VESL will provide access to the Victim Notification System Access – ICE and DOJ/BOP’s longstanding VINE and VNS systems that provide push notifications to victims, lawyers, and others with vested interests in the outcome of a specific case. Finally, VESL will provide Victim Assistance Support, consisting of general assistance and information for victims, including victims of child exploitation and human trafficking.

    View Document

Current Status

Not in effect

Most Recent Action

June 11, 2021 Action: Revoked/Replaced 2021.06.11 ICE launches Victims Engagement and Services Line (VESL)
June 11, 2021
Acted on by Biden Administration

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Agency Directive
Subject Matter: Interior
Agencies Affected: ICE

Associated or Derivative Policies

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