Who was Katie Abraham? Student killed in hit-and-run; DHS dedicates Chicago deportation drive to her

US department of homeland security (DHS) on Monday said it was dedicating a Chicago deportation drive to Katie Abraham killed earlier this year in a hit-and-run crash in Urbana.

Abraham and her friend, 21-year-old Chloe Polzin, died on January 19 when their car was struck by a Guatemalan man who police say was driving under the influence and fled the scene. Three others in the vehicle were also injured.

Authorities said the driver initially used a false identity but was later identified as 29-year-old Julio Cucul-Bol, a Guatemalan national. He faces charges of reckless homicide, aggravated DUI resulting in death, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash. Federal prosecutors have also accused him of using falsified documents, including a passport and social security card.

US president Donald Trump and Republican leaders have highlighted Abraham’s death, calling her parents “angel parents,” a term the administration has used to describe relatives of victims killed by people who lack legal status. Her family has spoken out against sanctuary policies in Illinois, saying the tragedy could have been prevented with stricter immigration checks.

Also read: 'Operation Midway Blitz': Trump administration begins immigration crackdown in Chicago; DHS announces mission

Who was Katie Abraham

• Katie Abraham was a 20-year-old student from Glenview, Illinois.
• She was a junior at Ohio University at the time of her death.
• Katie played water polo and competed in travel tournaments and the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics. She and her friend, Chloe Polzin, were part of the East Side Water Polo Club.
• Polzin became a full organ donor after being declared brain dead a day after the crash.
• Her father, Joe Abraham, described her as spirited, sharp-witted, and someone who made others feel seen. “She was very engaging. Her sense of humor was incredible. Her wit was so sharp,” he said.