Grieving Father Calls for Immigration Policy Change After Daughter’s Tragic Death
In the wake of his daughter’s death from a hit-and-run crash, Joe Abraham is urging Illinois lawmakers to confront the state’s immigration policies. The tragic incident, involving an illegal immigrant, underscores a pressing need for reform in how the state’s immigration system operates.
Why It Matters
Joe Abraham’s story highlights the human toll of immigration policies and raises questions about state leadership’s accountability in addressing these failures. His plea urges lawmakers to prioritize the safety of residents while ensuring lawful immigration processes that honor those who wish to join the country.
Key Developments
- Joe Abraham lost his daughter, Katie, in a hit-and-run incident caused by a drunk driver who is a repeat offender and an illegal immigrant.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has established "Operation Midway Blitz," aimed at addressing illegal immigration issues, partly in response to Katie’s tragic loss.
- Abraham criticized Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and other state leaders for their silence after his daughter’s death, emphasizing a lack of support and acknowledgment.
- The driver, Julio Cucul-Bol, is a Guatemalan national who had been previously deported and was sentenced to 30 years in prison after accepting a plea deal.
Full Report
A Father’s Heartbreak
Joe Abraham’s life changed irrevocably when his daughter, Katie, was killed on January 19, 2025. Katie and her friends were waiting at a stoplight when they were struck by Cucul-Bol, who was speeding at nearly 80 mph while under the influence of alcohol. Despite the tragedy, Abraham expressed his deep disappointment over the absence of support from Illinois state officials. “I received utter silence and indifference from my governor. Katie got disrespect and silence,” he stated in an interview.
Abraham revealed that during a congressional session in 2025, where immigration issues were being addressed, he and his family were overlooked by Governor Pritzker. “Father to father – I expected him to care,” he remarked. His daughter, whom he described as vibrant and full of promise, will never experience milestones like marriage or parenthood.
Immigration Concerns
In light of his daughter’s tragedy, Abraham voiced serious concerns about the immigration policies in Illinois. He stressed the importance of a structured system that ensures lawful transition into American society. "There has got to be an orderly process where people have to understand how to behave here," he insisted. He criticized how the lack of proper checks enables individuals like Cucul-Bol, who had a history of drunk driving and was living in the U.S. illegally, to slip through the cracks.
Cucul-Bol’s case is particularly troubling, as he had a history of being deported and had entered the country without undergoing any formal assessment of his health or legal standing. Abraham highlighted that Cucul-Bol not only lacked the ability to communicate in English or Spanish but also had health concerns, including HIV.
State Leadership and Public Safety
Abraham demands a reevaluation of Illinois’s immigration policies to ensure that such tragic events are avoided in the future. He contrasts the current state leadership with former President Donald Trump, who engaged with him personally and acknowledged his daughter’s life. “This past year without my daughter has been the most brutal year of my life,” he said, reflecting on an unimaginable loss compounded by official neglect.
Context & Previous Events
Joe Abraham’s daughter, Katie, was killed in a violent crash involving an illegal immigrant, drawing attention to the effects of sanctuary policies in Illinois. Following his daughter’s death, DHS initiated "Operation Midway Blitz," aimed at addressing crimes committed by illegal immigrants. Abraham’s calls for reform have been fueled by his experiences of indifference from state leaders like Governor Pritzker and Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.
