Joe Abraham’s poignant opinion piece highlights a tragic disparity in the public and media response to violent crimes involving illegal immigrants. He poses a striking question: Why is there an outpouring of grief and activism following the death of Renee Good, while his own daughter, Katie Abraham, is largely forgotten?
Katie lost her life on January 19, 2025, in a horrific incident that saw her car struck from behind by Julio Cucul Bol, an illegal immigrant driving under the influence. She was just 20 years old. Abraham’s visceral recollection of that day is painful. He recalls how first responders had to extract his daughter’s body from wreckage that was mangled beyond recognition, yet the narrative surrounding her tragic loss has received scant attention compared to others.
Abraham criticizes what he sees as a selective moral outrage. “Where were the stories about how the car Katie was riding in was struck from behind at nearly 80 miles per hour by a drunk-driving illegal alien?” he writes. This question underscores a profound frustration with how the victims of violence are often viewed through political lenses, rather than as individuals with families and legacies.
His opinion piece confronts politicians and media members with an uncomfortable truth: their emotional responses seem to be reserved for particular narratives. “It also struck me how the same media figures, politicians and commentators now expressing outrage over the Minneapolis shooting have had nothing to say about Katie. Nothing,” he laments. This observation invites readers to reflect on the consequences of such selective empathy.
Abraham points out that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s reaction to Katie’s death was one of “indifference, silence, and disrespect.” He argues that sanctuary policies, while arguably intended to protect certain individuals, come at a grave cost to others. By advocating for these policies, political leaders might think they are exhibiting compassion, but Abraham insists this is merely a façade for what he views as systemic irresponsibility.
He engages deeply with the sense of betrayal many feel regarding the protection of illegal immigrants at the expense of public safety. According to Abraham, it is a failure of moral leadership to sacrifice innocent lives like his daughter’s. He emphasizes that sanctuary policies not only shield individuals but also put others in peril, creating a climate of chaos that distracts from the urgent need for reform.
As the anniversary of Katie’s death approaches, Abraham’s call for recognition and justice remains urgent. “As we approach the one-year anniversary of Katie’s death on Jan. 19, 2025, sanctuary policies continue to cause death and destruction. And our political leaders continue to double down,” he asserts. This ominous prediction serves as a rallying cry for those who wish to see meaningful change in how these policies are enacted and enforced.
The emotional weight of Abraham’s words prompts readers to consider the human cost behind the statistics and political sentiments. His plea is simple yet profound: harm should not be tolerated as a byproduct of misguided governance. The sacrifices of innocent individuals like Katie must drive us to confront the issues head-on, rather than using them as footnotes in a larger political narrative.
In his conclusion, Abraham reflects on the media’s role in shaping public consciousness. By amplifying certain stories while neglecting others, he argues that they contribute to a harmful cycle of distraction that allows failed policies to persist unchecked. By shining a light on his daughter’s story, he hopes to break through the noise and remind everyone of the real lives affected by such tragedies.
Abraham’s compelling narrative serves as a stark reminder of the implications of policy debates and the need for compassion that extends beyond the political sphere. His words resonate as a call to action: acknowledging all victims of crime is essential to fostering a just and humane society. In the context of these discussions, neither silence nor indifference should have a place.
"*" indicates required fields
