Joe Abraham, whose daughter Katie was tragically killed by an undocumented immigrant in Illinois, has consistently backed ICE’s “Operation Midway Blitz.” This comes just days after Katie’s mother, Denise Lawrence, publicly criticized the operation that was inspired by her daughter’s death.
“This mission is, contrary to some claims, not political,” Joe Abraham stated. “It’s moral. It’s about preventing tragedies like Katie’s from affecting other families. This is a small part of her legacy, and I’m honored to commemorate her through this effort.”
However, Katie’s mother, Denise Lawrence, holds a different view. She openly expressed her opposition to the “Midway Blitz,” asserting that Katie would not have supported such a program.
As for Joe, Denise simply said, “He’s experiencing profound grief.”
Katie Abraham was killed in an incident that took place in January in Urbana, Illinois, located about two hours south of Chicago. Police apprehended Julio Cucurbor, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, charging him with DUI and fleeing the accident scene. Cucurbor was ultimately sentenced to 30 years in prison after a plea deal.
Katie’s father is a strong advocate for the president’s immigration policies, and he expressed his unwavering support in an op-ed published in the Chicago Tribune.
“Our late daughter Katie Abraham impacted so many lives in her unique way,” Joe wrote. “She connected with friends from various backgrounds. She was empathetic, kind, and full of curiosity. She made people feel recognized and appreciated. Tragically, her life was cut short by criminal illegal immigrants.”
“That’s why I stand behind Operation Midway Blitz, initiated in her memory,” he added. “Despite some criticisms, this mission isn’t about politics; it’s about morality. It’s focused on ensuring that what happened to Katie is not repeated. This is merely a fraction of her legacy, and I’m honored to pay tribute to her through this initiative.”
“Katie’s death was preventable. Her killer, Julio Cucur Bol, was someone who entered and stayed in our country illegally. He used multiple false identities and took advantage of weaknesses in our broken immigration system. Illinois’ sanctuary laws allowed him to evade the consequences. He should have been deported long before he caused my daughter’s death.”
Abraham also highlighted the injustice of millions of undocumented immigrants entering the country.
“It’s both unfair and unreasonable to detach the suffering of families from the policies that have let us down,” he commented. “We did everything right—worked diligently, followed the laws, paid taxes, and relied on our government for protection. That trust has been shattered. Our leaders, starting from the governor’s office, have turned immigration into a matter of public safety and national security. Governor Pritzker is inflating Illinois’ census numbers with unvetted illegal immigrants just to secure political advantage and additional federal funds. Katie paid the ultimate price for that strategy.”
“Operation Midway Blitz aims to restore that balance. We want a compassionate and secure immigration system. That’s what Katie would have desired: a nation that keeps its promises, protects its citizens, and prioritizes the welfare of its people,” he wrote.
“Her death was not in vain. Her legacy belongs to all who cherished her and to a country capable of learning from its missteps,” Abraham concluded.
The Department of Homeland Security launched Operation Midway Blitz in Katie’s honor last September.
Yet, the Abraham family remains divided over the policy. Katie’s mother, Denise Lawrence, reiterated her opposition to the “Midway Blitz,” claiming that Katie did not support such actions. She further stated that she was not consulted regarding the usage of Katie’s name and image, yet it was being employed to advocate for “Operation Midway Blitz.”
