President Donald Trump on Monday formally declared February 22 “National Angel Family Day,” honoring the families of Americans whose lives were taken by criminals who entered the United States illegally — and blasting what he called the “sick” legacy media and Democratic Party for turning a blind eye to their stories.
Speaking at the White House, one day after the second anniversary of Laken Riley’s murder, Trump stood alongside Angel Families and administration officials to recognize the victims and their loved ones. His proclamation also honored Jocelyn Nungaray, Rachel Morin, Matthew Denice, Sarah Root, and Ivory Smith — Americans killed by illegal immigrants or by drunk drivers who had entered the country unlawfully.
“We’re willing to tell the story,” Trump said of Riley’s life and tragic death. “I don’t know why the news doesn’t want to hear it. The Democrats don’t want to hear it, the radical Left, they don’t want to hear it. What’s not to hear? We want to stop murderers and criminals from coming into our country.”
Trump also took aim at Democratic leaders in sanctuary cities. “I watch the mayor of Minneapolis, I watch these people saying we want to protect murderers. I don’t get it … there’s something sick. We can’t have a country like that,” he said.
Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, addressed the room and thanked Trump for his commitment to honoring her daughter and cracking down on illegal immigration.
“You have said from the beginning, literally the day after [Riley’s murder], that you would not forget about Laken,” Phillips said. “You weren’t president at that time, and you have not forgotten. You have fought a fight that most people would not want to have to fight.”
Riley, 22, was stabbed to death while out for a run on the University of Georgia campus on February 22, 2024. Her killer, Jose Ibarra, 26, from Venezuela, illegally entered the United States in 2022 under the Biden administration. Shortly after crossing into the country, Ibarra was arrested in New York for endangering a child on a scooter. However, New York authorities released him before Immigration and Customs Enforcement could issue a detainer.
The former NYPD officer who arrested Ibarra in 2023 also spoke at the White House event. “I did my job. I put him in custody, but the system failed. No detainer. No accountability. No deportation. And an innocent American life was taken,” he said.
Trump vowed to continue his push against Democrat-run sanctuary cities. “They protect criminals with a vengeance,” he said. “There’s something wrong with them.”
The ceremony comes just one day before Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union address, where immigration enforcement is expected to be a central focus. Trump told reporters the speech would be “a long speech because we have so much to talk about.”
Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a top priority. As his administration has moved to shut down illegal crossings at the southern border and ramp up deportations, Democrats have sharply criticized the policy, particularly large-scale ICE operations in cities such as Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis.
Following the shooting deaths of Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents last month, Democratic lawmakers intensified their opposition to federal immigration enforcement, with some calling for ICE to be abolished and accusing agents of being terrorists and murderers.
Earlier this month, amid continued anti-ICE demonstrations in Minneapolis, Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota. After meeting with Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Homan announced that ICE’s immigration surge in the state would end and said local officials agreed to cooperate with federal authorities.
For Trump and the Angel Families gathered at the White House, Monday’s proclamation was about ensuring the victims are not forgotten — and about keeping the national spotlight on the consequences of immigration policies that, in their view, failed to protect American lives.
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