The president declared an ‘Angel Family Day’ to honor victims of crimes by illegal immigrants.
On Monday, President Trump honored the family of Laken Riley and other victims of crimes by illegal immigrants at a ceremony held at the White House.
The president also declared an ‘Angel Family Day’ to be celebrated on February 22 to honor two survivors and 62 individuals killed by illegal immigrants.
The date was chosen in remembrance of Laken Riley, who was killed on February 22, 2024.
“We’re putting American citizens first, we’re defending American lives, and we’re fighting for every Angel Family,” Trump said at the event.
“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,” said the proclamation.
For the ceremony, a vigil was held in the East Room of the White House in what was a “solemn ceremony that reminds us all of why deportations of the worst of the worst must continue,” said a White House official.
Earlier today at the White House at President Trump‘s event for Angel Families…the “U.S. Army Chorus” beautifully singing Amazing Grace…many teardrops. Here’s a portion… pic.twitter.com/CRnONGpppE
— Owen Jensen (@owentjensen) February 23, 2026
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan joined members of angel families at the ceremony.
“President Trump is proud to have delivered accountability for Angel Families by ushering in the most secure border in history, deporting the criminal illegal aliens let into our country by prior Administrations, and upholding the rule of law by strongly enforcing our immigration laws,” said press secretary Karoline Leavitt in a statement.
“The first bill President Trump signed into law was the Laken Riley Act to prevent these senseless tragedies from happening again and to keep innocent American citizens safe. The President and our nation will join Angel Families in honoring the memory of these amazing men and women,” continued Leavitt.
The Laken Riley Act was signed into law in January 2025 as the first law of Trump’s second term. The law requires federal detention of illegal immigrants arrested for burglary or theft.
Laken Riley was killed by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant in 2024 when she was out jogging. She was a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student.
At Monday’s event, President Trump honored several other victims killed by illegal immigrants and their angel families.
During Trump’s term in office, he has prioritized securing the nation’s borders, deporting illegal immigrants, and obtaining justice for impacted families that have lost loved ones as a result of violence perpetrated by illegal immigrants.
