An Illinois mother whose daughter was killed last year after a encounter with an undocumented immigrant has described a meeting that shaped her support for the acting attorney general nominee.
Jennifer Bos said she spoke with Todd Blanche and was struck by his attentiveness and urgency. She said he listened closely to her family’s story and appeared focused on finding solutions.
Bos’ daughter, Megan, was 37 when her body was discovered in April 2026 on property belonging to a Mexican national charged in connection with her death. The suspect, Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, faces charges including abuse of a corpse and obstructing justice.
He has claimed Megan overdosed and denied involvement. Under Illinois sanctuary policies, he was released after an initial hearing before being re-arrested by federal immigration authorities in Indiana months later.
Jennifer and her husband are now raising Megan’s young daughter. Bos acknowledged that no action can undo her loss but said she believes the nominee understands the struggles of families affected by such crimes.
She testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee shortly after Democratic members questioned Blanche’s independence. Bos said those lawmakers have overlooked families harmed by offenses involving undocumented individuals.
Bos said she received no outreach from Democratic senators before her appearance, including from her home-state senator. She described the contrast with Republican and independent lawmakers, whom she called receptive to affected families.
During the hearing, she confronted what she called a lack of acknowledgment of cross-border crime risks under prior border approaches. She argued the issue transcends party lines and urged broader cooperation.
Despite frustration, Bos noted the senator approached her afterward and expressed hope for future collaboration. She said Blanche has shown willingness to engage with victims’ relatives.
In her testimony, Bos urged the committee to confirm the nominee, citing his commitment to enforcing the law and protecting citizens. She warned that without action, other families could face similar tragedies.
