Jennifer Bos, whose daughter was found partially decomposed inside a garbage can in April 2025 after a 51-day search, told the Senate Judiciary Committee during Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing that Angel Families have been 'completely ignored' by lawmakers pushing for stricter immigration enforcement.
Bos appeared before the committee to testify in support of Blanche's nomination, describing what she called the 'unbearable agony' her family has endured since her daughter Megan's death. Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, has been charged in connection with Bos' death and remains in federal immigration custody after being arrested by ICE in July 2025.
What the Right Is Saying
Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., who questioned Bos during the hearing, highlighted the difficulty Angel Moms face in getting meetings with Democratic officials. 'This is the first time I've ever spoken with him,' Bos told Britt when asked about her interactions with Durbin prior to the hearing.
Bos said several pieces of legislation introduced in previous sessions addressing immigration enforcement have been ignored by Democratic officials. 'And there hasn't been any way to really get in and talk to anybody, especially those who are opposed to those legislations for whatever reason,' Bos said.
Republican senators pointed to Bos' testimony as evidence that the Trump administration's focus on violent crime and immigration enforcement resonates with families affected by crimes involving illegal immigrants.
What the Left Is Saying
Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., offered to meet with Bos immediately after her testimony revealed she had difficulty securing meetings with Democratic lawmakers. 'Miss Bos, anxious to meet with you,' Durbin said during the hearing. 'I hope we can do it soon, maybe right after this.'
Durbin later addressed Bos a second time at the end of the hearing, offering to speak with her as soon as proceedings adjourned. 'I didn't know it was a hardship for you to make this journey here, testify, from Illinois,' Durbin said. 'And I don't want you to have to wait to see me. I want to meet with you now.'
Democratic members of the committee have generally supported Blanche's nomination and emphasized the importance of meeting with crime victims during confirmation proceedings.
What the Numbers Show
Mendoza-Gonzalez was initially released from local custody after an Illinois judge determined state charges against him, including concealment of a death, abuse of a corpse, and obstruction of justice, did not qualify for pretrial detention under state law.
ICE arrested Mendoza-Gonzalez in Chicago in July 2025, after federal authorities said he was in the country illegally. He remains in federal immigration custody while facing both federal immigration charges and pending state charges related to Bos' death.
The Lake County Coroner's Office ruled Megan's cause of death 'undetermined,' stating the autopsy could not determine how she died or whether her death was a homicide or drug-related.
The Bottom Line
Bos urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to confirm Blanche without delay, saying he would 'uphold the law, honor victims, confront dangerous criminal organizations.' She asked senators not to wait until 'another mother is sitting where I am.' Durbin's offer to meet with Bos came after she revealed her difficulty getting meetings with Democratic officials, marking a notable exchange during what has been an intensive confirmation process for the acting attorney general nominee.
Blanche's confirmation hearing has centered heavily on immigration enforcement and the treatment of crime victims. His nomination represents the Trump administration's push to prioritize violent crime and illegal immigration in federal law enforcement priorities.