Why We Fight: Honoring the Life of Megan Bos

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security highlights the tragic story of Megan Bos, an Illinois woman whose body was found partially decomposed in a garbage can in Waukegan, Illinois, April 10, 2025.

Bos was allegedly visiting the home of Jose Mendoza-Gonzalez, an illegal alien from Mexico, who made claims she was under the influence of drugs. During the event, Mendoza-Gonzalez claims to have found Bos unresponsive, believing she had died from an overdose. Mendoza-Gonzalez left her body in the basement for days before throwing it away in a garbage can in his yard, eventually pouring bleach on her corpse and leaving her there for nearly two months.

Mendoza-Gonzalez was charged with abuse of a corpse, two counts of concealing the death of a person and obstructing justice. The charges are Class 4 felonies, but none are detainable offenses under sanctuary Governor J.B. Pritzker. Consequently, the illegal alien walked free after the conclusion of his court appearance. On July 19, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Chicago arrested him.

Secretary Noem relaunched the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office in April 2025. The VOICE office was shuttered by the Biden administration, which left victims of alien crime without access to key support services and resources. The office was first launched in 2017 by the Trump administration as a dedicated resource for those who have been victimized by crime with a nexus to immigration.

DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.