House Republicans Propose National Memorial Honoring Americans Killed by Illegal Immigrants
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a move that underscores the deep divisions over immigration policy, House Republicans unveiled plans on Friday to establish a permanent national memorial honoring U.S. citizens and lawful residents whose lives were lost to crimes committed by individuals unlawfully present in the country. The proposed memorial, championed by Rep. Abraham Hamadeh, R-Ariz., is intended to serve both as a tribute to victims and a stark reminder of what lawmakers describe as the consequences of ineffective immigration enforcement.
At a press event attended by several “angel families”—relatives of victims affected by immigration and drug-related violence—Hamadeh introduced the American Border Story Memorial Act. The legislation authorizes the creation of a memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated to those who have died as a result of crimes involving illegal immigrants. “This bill authorizes a permanent national memorial honoring U.S. citizens and lawful residents whose lives are taken by individuals unlawfully present in the United States,” Hamadeh said. “But in many ways, it also shames the politicians who allowed this situation to happen.”
The event also featured members of The American Border Story (TABS), an organization focused on documenting the southern border crisis. TABS Executive Director Nicole Kiprilov praised the efforts of the Trump administration in addressing immigration-related crime, stating, “I’d like to thank President Trump for leading an historic administration that has put these victims and families at the center of our immigration agenda.” She also commended former Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan for their work to secure the border.
Hamadeh contrasted the current administration’s approach with that of the previous one, highlighting recent data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection which shows a dramatic decline in encounters at the southern border—from a peak of over 300,000 in December 2024 to just 11,600 in September 2025. The Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration reportedly deported more than 2.5 million illegal immigrants in under a year, a figure cited by Hamadeh to emphasize stricter enforcement.
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., who also attended the unveiling, criticized the Biden administration’s immigration policies, including the termination of the “Remain in Mexico” program and the resumption of catch-and-release practices. “They ended the remain in Mexico policy, restarted catch and release,” Biggs said, framing the memorial as a response to what Republicans see as lax immigration enforcement.
The proposal arrives amid ongoing national debates over border security, immigration reform, and the impact of illegal immigration on communities across the country. While supporters argue the memorial will honor victims and raise awareness about border violence, critics may view it as a politicized gesture amid a complex humanitarian and policy challenge.
As the legislation moves forward, it remains to be seen how it will be received by a Congress deeply divided on immigration issues. The proposal reflects a broader Republican effort to spotlight border security and immigration enforcement ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
For more information on immigration enforcement and border security, visit the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement websites. Data on border encounters and enforcement actions can be found at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection site.
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