Death Benefits of ICE Special Agent, Jaime Jorge Zapata
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – (BROWNSVILLE, TX) – Today, Congresswoman Mayra Flores (TX-34) and the Zapata Family of Brownsville, released the following statements regarding the death benefits of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent, Jaime Jorge Zapata, who was killed in the line of duty on February 15, 2011.
“Congresswoman Mayra Flores accomplished more for my family in six weeks than others have done in more than eleven years. My son, Jaime Jorge Zapata, lost his life to keep our Rio Grande Valley community safe. Mayra’s dedication to honor his service helped us receive his death gratuity benefits. It is most appreciated,” said Mrs. Mary Zapata.
Adding, “No family should ever have to go through the pain and suffering of losing a family member, only to be forgotten by Washington bureaucrats for more than eleven years! Congresswoman Flores and her staff worked to represent our family interests with dedication and sincere concern from day one. Our family is most grateful for her service!”
The Zapata family had rightfully petitioned to the U.S. Government for funeral and travel expenses incurred from the death of Agent Zapata, but not all owed charges had been reimbursed by the federal government. In August, the office of Congresswoman Flores took on the case regarding the family’s application for death gratuity benefits from ICE. After contacting the appropriate agencies multiple times in the following weeks, the Zapata family was promptly reimbursed the money they had paid to cover funeral expenses well over a decade ago.
“The thought of U.S. law enforcement families, like the Zapata family, having to endure the unresponsiveness of a federal bureaucracy for more than a decade, is absolutely unconscionable and unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Flores. “The best part of my job is being able to help individuals and families wrong injustices— Especially families who've suffered the loss of a beloved one, in service to our country. In my office, our constituents come first.”
Flores’ office remains involved in this case as some incurred travel and hotel expensed by the family have not yet been reimbursed by the Office of Victims of Crime, at the Department of Justice. This agency has acknowledged the inquiry and results are still pending.
Any resident of Texas 34th Congressional District in need of assistance with a federal agency should contact 956-929-4948 or can submit a casework request through our online portal HERE.
