President Trump Signs Proclamation Declaring February the 22nd As National Angel Family Day
By The Blog Source
On Monday, President Trump formalized the designation of February 22 as National Angel Family Day by signing a proclamation in the East Room. This proclamation now provides annual presidential recognition to the families of Americans who have been killed by illegal aliens and directly links their stories to the border enforcement agenda of his administration.
Two survivors and 62 victims whose names have become central to the national debate over immigration enforcement were honored during the ceremony, which took place at 10 a.m. on the eve of Tuesday night's State of the Union address. The date was selected to commemorate the anniversary of the murder of 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was slain on February 22, 2024, while out for a run. Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan national who unlawfully entered the United States, was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment for the offense.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a statement to the New York Post that “President Trump is proud to have upheld the rule of law by strongly enforcing our immigration laws, deporting the criminal illegal aliens who were allowed into our country by prior Administrations, and ushering in the most secure border in history, ultimately delivering accountability for Angel Families." She observed that the Laken Riley Act, which mandated federal detention for illegal aliens arrested for burglary or larceny, was the first bill Trump signed into law upon his return to office on January 29, 2025. Leavitt further stated, "The President and our nation will join Angel Families in honoring the memory of these amazing men and women."
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Trump framed the proclamation as a combination of remembrance and resolve while standing alongside the families. He said at the ceremony that the attendees had "not only suffered an infinite loss," but were also victims of "politicians who prioritized the safety of American citizens and American patriots over the comfort of foreign criminals." He reiterated that the deportations of "the worst of the worst" would persist.
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Several family members addressed the room.
Riley's mother, Allyson Phillips, discussed the enduring consequences of her daughter's murder and the broader implications of border policy. She stated, "If you have experienced the nightmare that we have, you comprehend the significance of the work that [President Trump] is performing to protect our families and secure our nation, as this could be any family."
Steve Ronnebeck, whose 21-year-old son Grant was fatally shot while working at an Arizona convenience store, contemplated his extensive association with Trump's immigration message. "We finally had hope when President Trump broached the subject of Grant prior to his 2016 election," Ronnebeck stated. "Today, we will finally witness that someone will be held accountable."
The president was directly thanked by Angel Mom Marie Vega, the mother of former U.S. Marine and Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega Jr. She expressed her gratitude for your presence in the office. "America and the world would be unaware of the repercussions of open borders in the absence of your presence."
Laura Wilkerson, who lost her son Joshua to murder in 2010, recounted her encounter with Trump during his election campaign years ago. She described the moment as one that stayed with us, recounting how our youngest son, Joshua, was brutally beaten, tortured, strangled to death, and his corpse set on fire. He watched as the tears rolled down my face.
Among those honored were Katie Abraham, who was killed in 2025 in Illinois in a drunk-driving accident involving a Guatemalan national who was unlawfully in the country; Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother who was murdered in 2023 while hiking by an illegal alien from El Salvador; and Kayla Hamilton, who was raped and murdered in 2022 by a teenage El Salvadoran national who had illegally entered the United States. Their parents, Tammy Nobles and Patty Morin, were present. Ethan Curreri, an NYPD officer who had previously apprehended Ibarra on child endangerment allegations prior to Riley's death, was also present.
The proclamation designates February 22, 2026, as National Angel Family Day and encourages Americans to convene at their places of worship to commemorate the victims of the fentanyl epidemic and those murdered by illegal aliens, as well as to "put an end to the violence and lawlessness that have claimed so many innocent lives." According to a press release, President Trump cited a 92% decrease in nationwide encounters compared to the monthly averages under the previous administration and record-low southwest border apprehensions in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 as evidence that enforcement measures are yielding tangible results.
The vigil was attended by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border enforcement chief Tom Homan, indicating that immigration will continue to be a prominent topic during Trump's address to Congress on Tuesday evening. The president is anticipated to defend the necessity and scope of his assault in light of the ongoing legal challenges and protests surrounding federal enforcement operations.
The primary objective of the families who convened in the East Room was to commemorate their loved ones. The proclamation formalizes for Trump what has already been a defining theme of his second term: that border security is not an abstract policy debate but a matter measured in names, dates, and lives that cannot be restored.
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