Demand for Recognition of Tragic Death in Illinois

In Urbana, Illinois, a year after the fatal hit-and-run incident that took his daughter’s life, Joe Abraham is calling on the state’s lawmakers to acknowledge her tragedy. He feels the human impact of ineffective border and immigration policies acutely.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated Operation Midway Blitz in memory of Katie Abraham. Yet, Joe Abraham has expressed concern to undocumented immigrants about the need to approach immigration the right way. “If you truly want to be part of America, you should follow the proper processes,” he stated in a video for American Border Story, aimed at highlighting the personal toll of the border crisis.

He believes there should be an organized way for individuals to adapt to life in America. “I’ve experienced a deafening silence from our state leaders, which only deepens the pain of losing my daughter,” he shared with Fox News Digital.

Joe Abraham lamented, “We’ve received nothing but indifference from the governor.” He specifically criticized Governor Pritzker and senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth for not reaching out following Katie’s murder. At a Congressional event in 2025, where Katie’s case was mentioned, he recalls sitting just a few feet from Pritzker, who didn’t acknowledge him at all. “As a father, I hoped he would show some concern,” he said, wishing for a simple acknowledgment of Katie’s existence.

Katie lost her life on January 19, 2025, when a drunk driver, an undocumented immigrant, crashed into the car she was in and then fled the scene. Her friend, Chloe Polzin, also succumbed to her injuries shortly after the crash.

“I was at a traffic light when a drunk driver came barreling at us, hitting our car at around 130 mph,” Joe recounted. The scene was horrific; responders had to dismantle the vehicle to retrieve Katie’s body.

Joe described his daughter as vibrant and full of potential. “Katie was talented, funny, and had a special way of connecting with people,” he reflected. He mournfully noted that he would never see her get married or have children.

The driver responsible, Julio Cucurbor, a Guatemalan national, had been previously deported. He was arrested in Texas while trying to travel to Mexico and was found with fake identification. He eventually accepted a plea deal that resulted in a 30-year prison sentence for multiple charges, including reckless homicide.

Joe raised concerns about the lack of thorough checks on individuals entering the U.S., emphasizing that Cucurbor’s background was inadequately vetted. “He even had HIV, which is documented in court records,” Abraham stated, noting that Cucurbor had previously driven under the influence.

He criticized the policies that allowed such incidents to occur and stressed the need for sensible immigration practices that would protect the public. He believes that support should remain for those seeking to immigrate legally. “The federal government, including DHS and ICE, has had to step in because Illinois’ policies fall short,” he added. “We can’t simply welcome everyone without due diligence.”

Abraham hopes for comprehensive immigration policies that balance public safety with compassion for genuine immigrants. Comparing responses from different political leaders, he voiced disappointment in Pritzker, contrasting it with the acknowledgment he received from former President Trump at the White House. “This past year without my daughter has been the hardest of my life,” he concluded.