President Trump welcomed grieving families to the White House on Monday, signing a historic proclamation that establishes February 22 as National Angel Family Day. The moving ceremony paid tribute to the thousands of Americans who have lost their lives to criminal illegal aliens, with particular attention to the memory of Laken Riley, the nursing student whose brutal murder at the hands of an illegal alien sparked national outrage.
From [The White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/national-angel-family-day-2026/):
“On National Angel Family Day, we remember and honor the thousands of American lives stolen from us by criminal illegal aliens and the deadly drugs they bring across our borders. We stand with the Angel Families, many of whom continue to be left without justice. And we recommit to carrying out the largest mass-deportation effort in our Nation’s history, getting the worst of the worst out of our country, and putting a stop to the violence targeting the brave men and women of law enforcement.”
The timing carries profound significance. Monday marked exactly two years since Laken Riley went for a morning jog on her college campus and never returned home. Her killer, Jose Ibarra, had been caught crossing the southern border illegally in 2022 and was released into the country by the Biden administration. Despite being arrested by an NYPD officer for endangering a child in New York City, sanctuary city policies allowed him to walk free before ICE could detain him. He fled to Georgia and murdered Laken Riley months later.
🚨TOMORROW AT 10AM AT THE WHITE HOUSE: ‘President Trump to honor Laken Riley and other 'angel families, and sign a proclamation designating Angel Family Day’ https://t.co/vKsUAL5Q2O
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 22, 2026
Laken’s mother, Allyson Phillips, stood beside President Trump during the emotional East Room ceremony. In a moment that captured the nation’s attention, the President embraced her in a heartfelt hug, acknowledging the unthinkable pain her family has endured. Her presence served as a powerful reminder that behind every statistic lies a shattered family and stolen dreams.
From [The White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/national-angel-family-day-2026/):
“Stories like this officer’s, whose diligence should have prevented Laken’s murder, and heartbreaking losses suffered by countless other Angel Families, strengthen my resolve to fix the illegal immigration crisis with ferocious energy.”
Laken Riley should be turning 24 today. Instead, her life was stolen by a criminal illegal alien.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 10, 2026
Nothing can bring her back — but the Trump Admin is fighting every day to remove dangerous criminal illegals from our streets. The Laken Riley Act, the very first legislation… pic.twitter.com/9sNbQDvqw9
The human toll extends far beyond Laken Riley. The proclamation honors families who lost loved ones like Jocelyn Nungaray, Rachel Morin, Matthew Denice, Sarah Root, and Ivory Smith. Each name represents a life cut short by criminals who should never have been in the country. Each story underscores the preventable nature of these tragedies.
From [The White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/national-angel-family-day-2026/):
“Every life taken, every child trafficked, every vehicular homicide, every drug-related death, and every crime committed in this country by an illegal alien is 100 percent preventable.”
Trump to honor Laken Riley and other ‘angel families’ ahead of State of the Union address
— News News News (@NewsNew97351204) February 23, 2026
President Trump will honor the family of Laken Riley and other victims of crimes by illegal immigrants on Monday by declaring an “Angel Family Day,” SWR can exclusively reveal.
The tribute… pic.twitter.com/TcstIipBtW
The President’s actions speak louder than words. The Laken Riley Act was the first piece of legislation he signed into law upon returning to office. This commonsense legislation mandates detention and deportation of illegal alien criminals and empowers states to sue the federal government when politicians refuse to enforce immigration laws. It represents a fundamental shift from the previous administration’s catch-and-release policies.
Since taking office, Trump has declared a national emergency at the southern border, reinstated the Remain in Mexico policy, deployed troops to stop the invasion, and designated cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The historic One Big Beautiful Bill passed in July authorized the largest immigration overhaul in modern American history, including massive increases in Border Patrol personnel and hundreds of miles of new border wall.
President Trump hosted Laken Riley's family at the White House and signed the Laken Riley Act into law, which mandates the detention and deportation of illegal alien criminals and allows states to sue if immigration laws aren’t enforced.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 30, 2025
Make America SAFE Again pic.twitter.com/Ope46xZYTM
The establishment of National Angel Family Day ensures these victims will not be forgotten. It transforms personal tragedies into a permanent reminder of why secure borders matter. The families who gathered at the White House represent thousands more who have suffered similar losses, their voices finally being heard by a President who places American safety above political correctness.
From [The White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/national-angel-family-day-2026/):
“On the second anniversary of Laken Riley’s murder, we remember her kindness and the promise of her young life. While nothing can undo the pain her family has suffered, I recommit to removing dangerous illegal alien criminals from our Nation to prevent such senseless tragedies from happening again.”
The ceremony demonstrated the stark contrast between an administration that honors its fallen citizens and one that prioritizes open borders. These families have become unlikely warriors in the fight for immigration enforcement, their personal pain fueling a national movement. Trump honored them not as political props but as fellow Americans deserving justice and remembrance.
February 22 will now serve as an annual day of remembrance for all Americans killed by illegal aliens. It is a day to recommit to the policies that prevent such tragedies and to honor the memories of those who should still be with us. The Angel Families have found a champion in the White House who understands that every preventable death represents a failure of government that demands correction.
