In a recent announcement at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump outlined [1] a plan to support families affected by crimes linked to illegal immigration if he is re-elected.
Trump pledged that his administration would seize assets from criminal gangs and drug cartels to fund a compensation program dedicated to victims of what he referred to as “migrant crime.”
The proposed program would be a first for his administration, should he return to office.
“Today, I’m announcing that for the first time under my administration, we will be seizing the assets of the criminal gangs and drug cartels, and we will use those assets to create a compensation fund to provide restitution for the victims of migrant crime,” Trump stated during his address on Tuesday.
“The government will help in the restitution,” he added, suggesting federal involvement in compensating those impacted by such crimes.
🚨BREAKING: Trump announces that his administration will seize the assets of criminal gangs and drug cartels and use them to set up a compensation fund for the victims of migrant crime.
BOOM!! pic.twitter.com/2WslsmSuKo [2]
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 29, 2024 [3]
This proposed plan has parallels to existing federal policies aimed at supporting crime victims.
Currently, the Federal Crime Victims Assistance Fund assists individuals affected by crime by providing financial aid for expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages, and other incident-related costs.
The $3.2 billion fund, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, is funded by fines and penalties from federal convictions, though Trump’s proposal targets specific criminal assets for redistribution to victims of migrant-related crimes.
Former New York DEA chief Ray Donovan voiced his support for Trump’s proposed policy shift, noting that an expanded compensation fund specifically for victims of violent crimes linked to drug trafficking and gang violence would be a “powerful layer of support.”
Donovan told The New York Post, “Expanding its use to compensate victims of violent crime adds a powerful layer of support by redirecting money and assets seized from criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, gang violence, and other harmful activities.”
Donovan emphasized that targeting assets from these criminal networks would both disrupt illicit operations and provide meaningful assistance to those affected by violent acts.
Derek Maltz, former head of the DEA’s Special Operations Division, also endorsed Trump’s approach, pointing out that such a policy could foster unity among American citizens by addressing a commonly shared concern over crime linked to illegal immigration. “It would be a great way to pay back victims that have been hurt by these savages that have come illegally into the country and operate with impunity,” Maltz commented to The Post.
Maltz argued that using seized assets to help victims would provide a tangible form of justice for those harmed by these criminal activities.
Trump’s proposal to target cartel and gang assets as a source of compensation for crime victims is part of his broader platform focused on law enforcement and border security.
His administration had previously focused on dismantling criminal networks involved in drug and human trafficking, a stance he has continued to emphasize as he campaigns for the presidency once again.
The former president’s announcement comes amid ongoing discussions around immigration policies and the impacts of what he calls ‘migrant crime.’
The proposal aims to address concerns from constituents who feel that violent crime linked to illegal immigration has gone unchecked.
Trump’s strategy seeks to turn the profits of criminal enterprises into direct assistance for victims, redirecting seized funds toward those impacted by the violence associated with illegal immigration.
With next week’s election drawing closer, Trump’s announcement marks a clear signal to voters concerned about security and border enforcement.
His plan, if implemented, would expand the current framework of the Federal Crime Victims Assistance Fund to cover victims specifically affected by crimes attributed to cartel and gang activity.
Whether the proposal will gain traction or be implemented in its entirety remains uncertain, but it underscores Trump’s commitment to using federal resources to address crime concerns at the border.