Donald Trump signed a proclamation designating Feb. 22 as “National Angel Family Day” during a White House ceremony Monday attended by relatives of people killed in crimes committed by individuals in the country illegally.
The event brought together several so-called “angel families,” a term used by advocacy groups to describe relatives of victims of such crimes. Participants shared personal accounts and urged stronger border enforcement policies.
“We’re gathered here today for a truly solemn occasion,” Trump said in remarks from the White House, describing the families’ losses as preventable and linking the deaths to immigration policies of the previous administration. He claimed thousands of violent offenders had entered the United States in recent years and argued the stories of victims had not received sufficient public attention.
Before signing the proclamation, multiple family members addressed attendees.
Among them was Allyson Phillips, mother of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed while jogging. Phillips said the tragedy reshaped her family’s life and emphasized the importance she believes border security plays in preventing future violence.
Steve Ronnebeck spoke about his son Grant, who was fatally shot while working at an Arizona convenience store. He said families had long sought national recognition of victims and expressed hope the designation would ensure they are remembered.
Other speakers included relatives of Javier Vega Jr., a Marine veteran killed in Texas, as well as family members of Rockey Jones and Joshua Wilkerson, each recounting the circumstances surrounding their loved ones’ deaths.
Trump said the new observance would honor victims annually and bring public awareness to crimes involving immigration status. He also criticized media coverage and prior policies, arguing they failed to prioritize public safety.
The proclamation does not create legal penalties or policy changes but establishes a commemorative day intended to recognize victims and their families.
Supporters of the measure say the designation gives grieving relatives a national platform and acknowledgment from the federal government. Critics, meanwhile, have argued crime policy should be addressed broadly rather than through immigration status-specific observances.
The White House said the annual day of recognition will be observed each Feb. 22 moving forward, with future administrations able to continue the tradition through subsequent proclamations.
