National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2017

This proclamation designates April 2-8, 2017 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week, calling attention to crime victims' needs and announcing the creation of VOICE (Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement) within DHS to assist victims of crimes committed by criminal aliens.

Federal Register Open PDF 82 FR 16889

Impact dates

Apr 2, 2017
Start of National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Key directives

Proclaim April 2 through April 8, 2017 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week
Urge Americans, families, law enforcement, community and faith-based organizations, and private organizations to work together to support victims of crime
Develop VOICE office within Department of Homeland Security to assist victims of crimes committed by criminal aliens

Timeline

Immediate

Proclamation of National Crime Victims' Rights Week for April 2-8, 2017
Announcement of VOICE office development within DHS

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

VOICE office announcement in ceremonial proclamation blurs line between commemoration and policy implementation
Framing of immigration crime victims as distinct category with 'open borders policies' language introduces partisan framing into victim services
Claim that victims 'will not be ignored by the media or silenced by special interests' suggests political grievance narrative
No specific operational details or deadlines for VOICE office establishment provided