This week, President Donald J. Trump welcomed Angel Families to the White House for a deeply moving ceremony honoring the American lives tragically taken by criminal illegal aliens who never should have been in our country.
Marking the second anniversary of Laken Riley’s murder, President Trump signed a Proclamation officially designating February 22 as National Angel Family Day — a solemn day of remembrance for victims and the families whose lives have been forever changed by the consequences of open border policies.
Surrounded by grieving parents, siblings, and law enforcement officers, the President reaffirmed his Administration’s unwavering commitment to border security, accountability, and justice.
“If you’ve lived that nightmare that we have lived, you understand the importance of the job that he is doing in securing our nation and fighting for our families — because this could be any family.”
— Allyson Phillips, mother of Laken Riley
Steve Ronnebeck, whose son Grant was killed while working at an Arizona convenience store, reflected on President Trump’s long-standing commitment:
“President Trump talked about Grant even before he was elected in 2016 — and finally, we had hope… Now, today, we are finally going to see that somebody’s going to remember all of our loved ones.”
Laura Wilkerson, whose son Joshua was brutally murdered by an illegal alien classmate, recalled meeting President Trump years ago:
“He looked me straight in the eye and he said, ‘I will never forget the story of your sweet son, and I will never give up fighting for the American family.’ … He has never missed a day of fighting for the American family.”
Marie Vega, mother of former U.S. Marine and Border Patrol Agent Javier “Harvey” Vega Jr., thanked the President for restoring law and order and for acknowledging Angel Families across the country.
Jody Jones, whose brother Rocky was killed, spoke directly to the political debate:
“What about us? What about the American family? We mean something, too — and this man right here understands it.”
Officer Ethan Curreri, who arrested José Ibarra months before Laken Riley’s murder, underscored what went wrong:
“I did my job. I put him in custody. The system failed; no detainer, no accountability, no deportation, and an innocent American life was taken. If you enter our country illegally, there will be consequences under this Administration.”
With what the White House describes as the most secure border in American history, President Trump made clear that his Administration will continue removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens, strengthening enforcement, and ensuring that no more American families suffer such preventable tragedies.
National Angel Family Day will now stand as a permanent reminder: American lives matter, American families matter, and their stories will never be forgotten.
