The mother of a man killed by an illegal immigrant is expressing gratitude to the Trump administration for reopening a government office that assists families affected by crimes committed by undocumented individuals. Maureen Maloney’s son, Matthew Denice, lost his life in 2011 when a drunk driving illegal alien ran a stop sign and dragged him for a quarter mile.
In a heartfelt video, Maloney shared her memories of Matthew and praised President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for reviving the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office. This office provides resources and legal aid to families who have suffered due to crimes committed by illegal immigrants. Maloney said she was thrilled about the reopening and emphasized how beneficial the VOICE office has been for many victim families she knows.
The VOICE Office was initially established by Trump in 2017. However, in June 2021, it was closed by President Joe Biden, who replaced it with the Victims Engagement and Services Line. This new service allowed both victims and illegal immigrants to report crimes to ICE. At the time, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised the shift, stating that all individuals, regardless of immigration status, should have access to victim services without fear.
Maloney reflected on the tragedy of her son’s death, noting that it could have been avoided with stricter immigration enforcement. She expressed her anger upon learning that the person responsible for her son’s death had previous run-ins with the law and was in the country illegally. “Matthew’s death was totally preventable,” she said.
Matthew was remembered as a vibrant young man with dreams of becoming a police officer and starting a family. His stepfather, Mike Maloney, described him as a great son and a wonderful person.
Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, highlighted the ongoing issue of illegal immigrants causing fatal accidents. She stated that too many American lives have been lost due to drunk driving by illegal aliens.
Maloney’s story is not an isolated case. Earlier this year, a 10-year-old boy named Alex Wise Jr. was killed by an illegal immigrant in Texas. In another tragic incident, two young adults were killed by a drunk-driving illegal alien in California in 2021. A mother and her teenage son also lost their lives in a crash caused by an illegal immigrant who had been deported multiple times.
McLaughlin reiterated the importance of the VOICE Office, stating that it will serve all victims of illegal alien crime and their families, providing them with the support they need.