Emotional Meeting at the White House
Jennifer Bos, the mother of a young woman found dead in a dumpster behind an illegal immigrant’s home in Lake County, Illinois, is speaking out about a powerful moment she shared with former President Donald Trump.
Bos said Trump gave her a short but direct message during a White House event: “Watch what happens.”
She was part of a group known as Angel Families, relatives of victims killed by undocumented immigrants. The group met with Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a memorial ceremony. Bos described the meeting as deeply personal. She said she felt seen and heard at a time when she believes others in leadership had ignored her.
The Tragic Death of Her Daughter
Bos explained that her daughter had been missing for two months before her body was found in a garbage container filled with bleach behind a home in Lake County. The suspect, Jose Mendoza Gonzalez, was arrested the same day.
However, according to Bos, he was released shortly after appearing in court. She believes Illinois sanctuary policies allowed him to walk free instead of being held or reported to federal authorities.
Feeling desperate, Bos said she spoke out during a previous White House bill signing. As Trump was leaving, she called out to him and quickly shared her story. She said he listened carefully and appeared visibly upset. Before walking away, he turned back and told her, “Watch what happens.”
Three days later, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Gonzalez into custody and transferred him to a detention facility in Indiana.
Frustration With State Leadership
Bos criticized Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, saying he never contacted her or publicly acknowledged her daughter’s case. She believes state leadership failed her family and others facing similar tragedies.
Her concerns were echoed by another Angel parent, Joe Abraham. His daughter, Katie Abraham, was killed in Urbana, Illinois, when an undocumented immigrant allegedly crashed into her vehicle at high speed while driving drunk.
Abraham said immigration enforcement efforts later launched in the Chicago area were carried out in Katie’s honor. The operation, known as Operation Midway Blitz, led to thousands of arrests, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
He argued that Illinois sanctuary laws make it difficult to separate personal loss from political decisions. In his view, policy choices played a role in preventable deaths.
Families Call for Accountability
Both parents said they want accountability from state officials. Abraham directly questioned why policies remain in place that, in his opinion, put residents at risk.
Despite their frustration, both described feeling understood during their meeting with Trump. They said he listened and responded quickly to their concerns.
For Bos, the moment when Trump told her to “watch what happens” remains a turning point. She believes it showed leadership and action at a time when she felt powerless.
