THE mother of a girl who was allegedly killed by a man in the country illegally sobbed before Congress as she begged them to make changes to the justice system.
Stephanie Minter, 41, was stabbed to death at a bus stop in Fairfax County, Virginia, in February.
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Stephanie Minter was stabbed to death in February while waiting for the bus in Virginia Credit: House Committee on the Judiciary
Cheryl Minter, Stephanie’s mother, Minter, wiped her tears after reading her testimony about her daughter’s murder Credit: Reuters
The man accused of killing Stephanie is 32-year-old Abdul Jalloh, an illegal immigrant who had been let out of custody on over 30 previous charges, including stabbings, assaults and rape, according to the Washington Times.
Stephanie’s mother Cheryl Minter, a member of the Angel Moms, stood before Congress on Thursday begging lawmakers for change.
The Angel Moms are a group of mothers whose children were killed by undocumented immigrants.
Cheryl opened her statement reading a poem that was plastered on a coffee cup given to her by Stephanie, saying how the pair would share coffee in the mornings and would take steps to make their relationship better.
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“We would share stories, memories, laughter, our thoughts of the future and more. This is something I will never get to experience again because of the failures of our justice system.”
Cheryl pointed out Jalloh’s criminal history and said, “I am not here for politics, I am here for accountability.”
“I am here because the system failed my daughter,” she told Congress.
“If not for these failures, I could be sharing a cup of coffee with Stephanie this morning, rather than speaking with you all today,” she said through sniffles.
“When warnings are ignored, families like mine pay the price. This is not just about Stephanie, this is about every mother.
“Care for one group should not be a danger for another.”
Her statement was a reference to the written policy issued by Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, the county’s elected prosecutor, who urged for lenient charging decisions for illegal immigrants to prevent them from being deported, the Washington Times reported.
“She deserved more time. I am asking you, please do not let her story be ignored. Do not let another family stand where I am standing,” she said.
Abdul Jalloh, who was in the country unlawfully, was accused of killing Stephanie Credit: Department of Homeland Security
Virginia’s former Attorney General Jason Miyares comforted Cheryl as she read her testimony Credit: Reuters
“Make changes, take responsibility, protect your community, because no mother should ever have to wake up to this nightmare.”
Cheryl went on to read Psalms 28 to Congress.
“Give them the punishments they so richly deserve. Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness. Pay them back for all their evil deeds,” she read.
Cheryl told lawmakers that her daughter’s death could have been prevented if her alleged killer had been charged for his previous crimes.
Cheryl read a poem on a coffee mug that Stephanie gave her during the testimony before Congress Credit: House Committee on the Judiciary
Who are the Angel Moms?
“Angel Mothers” also known as “Angel Families” are those whose loved one or children were killed or permanently injured by people in the country unlawfully.
In April 2026, the Trump administration welcomed Angel Families to Washington DC to mark the one-year anniversary of reopening the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office.
The VOICE Office supports victims and their families whose lives were irreparably harmed by crimes of illegal immigrants.
President Donald Trump honored the Angel Moms and Gold Star mothers, those who lost their children in military service, at a recent Mother’s Day event.
He called them “strong and truly heroic moms,” highlighting their resilience amid a “very profound loss.”
Trump revealed he’s gotten to know many of the Angel Moms personally, telling them, “I got to know you and I got to love you.”
The charges against Jalloh in Stephanie’s case were also dropped, allowing him to remain free.
Descano, who dropped the charges, also testified before the House Judiciary Committee.
Descanso expressed sorrow for Stephanie’s death and vowed to prosecute Jalloh.
But the attorney said he didn’t want his office to be seen as helping federal immigration authorities.
“Our policy of not diverting our resources to federal immigration enforcement also makes our communities safer,” he said, per the Washington Times.
“If victims and witnesses believe my office will report them to ICE, they will not trust us.”
The Department of Justice launched an investigation into Descanso and his office to determine if he discriminated against American citizens by “offering preferential treatment” to illegal immigrants, ABC affiliate WJLA reported on May 7.
“This investigation will uncover whether this prosecutor is putting the community at risk in offering sweetheart deals to illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.