A new Center for Immigration Studies podcast episode examines the real-world consequences of immigration and public safety policies through the story of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old college student killed by an illegal alien in a DUI hit-and-run crash in the sanctuary state of Illinois.

Guest host Marguerite Telford, the Center’s Director of Communications, speaks with Joe Abraham, Katie’s father, about the night his daughter and another young woman were killed when an illegal alien driving at nearly 80 miles per hour struck their car while it was stopped at a traffic light. Three additional young women were seriously injured. The driver fled the scene and was later apprehended in Texas while attempting to flee to Mexico.

Abraham details how the suspect had previously been deported, returned illegally in 2022, and was living under an alias using false identification. He recently accepted a plea offer of 30 years and now faces federal prosecution for passport misuse, false statements, identity fraud, falsification of a Social Security card, and related offenses. “This was never political for us,” Abraham says. “But policies matter. Leadership matters. And common-sense enforcement could save lives.”

Discussion topics include:

• Sanctuary policies and their impact on public safety.
• How an illiterate illegal alien obtained a driver’s license without receiving any vetting.
• The role of prevention – through enforcement and screening – rather than reacting after crimes occur.
• The lack of engagement from state leaders and victim advocacy organizations, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
• The human cost of immigration policies.
• The importance of the DHS VOICE Office in supporting victims and their families.

Host

Marguerite Telford is the Director of Communications at the Center for Immigration Studies

Guest

Joe Abraham is the father of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old college student killed by an illegal alien

Related

An illegal immigrant killed my daughter. Katie and Illinois are both getting justice 

Sanctuary policies failed my daughter and my state 

Joe Abraham: We all share my daughter Katie’s legacy — and her death must still mean something

Intro Montage

Voices in the opening montage:

• Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
• Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
• President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
• Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
• Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
• Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
• Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
• Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
• Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
• Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.
• Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".