'Angel families' hail Trump for doing 'thankless job' as he honors those killed by illegal migrants
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump was hailed for his immigration crackdown by families whose close ones were killed by illegal immigrants. The commander-in-chief received praise as he signed a proclamation on Monday, February 23, declaring February 22 as National Angel Family Day.
One of the attendees of the ceremony was Allyson Phillips, mother of Laken Riley, the Augusta University nursing student who was murdered by a Venezuelan man on February 22, 2024.
"If you've lived that nightmare that we have lived, you understand the importance of the job that [@POTUS] is doing in securing our nation and fighting for our families — because this could be any family."
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) February 23, 2026
Allyson Phillips's 22-year-old daughter Laken Riley was killed by a… pic.twitter.com/7ZMQGZpcRH
Laken Riley's mother hails Trump for fighting for her family
“I just can't thank you enough. There are just not enough words to say. If you've lived the 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,” Philips said, referring to Trump.
Directly addressing the Republican leader, she stated, "You have fought a fight that most people would not want to have to fight. Most people wouldn’t. President Trump – you are doing a thankless job that most people just wouldn’t do, and I just can’t thank you enough."
Jody Jones praises Trump for 'putting America first' and 'putting Angel families first'
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Jody Jones — whose brother Rocky was killed by an illegal — just EVISCERATED the Democrats in a mic drop moment
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 23, 2026
"I'm SICK and TIRED of hearing these Democrats stand up and say how 'SORRY' they are for these criminal illegals being 'ripped apart.' WHAT ABOUT US?!"… pic.twitter.com/USAWZwIViq
Another attendee was Jody Jones from Tulare County, whose brother Rocky was reportedly killed by an illegal immigrant in 2018. Commending the Republican leader, Jones said, “President Trump, I want you to know, no matter what the fake media says about you, the American people love you, and we will support you all the time because we love you."
He then went on to slam Democrats for their apparent support for immigrants.
“I'm sick and tired of hearing these Democratic politicians stand up on these podiums and say how sorry they are for seeing these criminal illegal aliens being ripped apart from their families. What about us? What about the American family? What about us?” Jones added.
At the event, Jones also thanked Trump for “putting America first, and putting these Angel families first and letting everybody know their stories because we matter,” before he concluded, “I love America. I love Donald Trump. I love my family. Thank you very much Donald Trump. President Trump, you are the man.”
Trump recommits to removing 'dangerous illegal alien criminals' from the US
Meanwhile, as per the proclamation, National Angel Family Day means remembering and honoring “thousands of American lives stolen from us by criminal illegal aliens and the deadly dr*gs they bring across our borders.”
Trump’s proclamation specifically mentioned Riley’s murder as it said, “While nothing can undo the pain her family has suffered, I recommit to removing dangerous illegal alien criminals from our Nation to prevent such senseless tragedies from happening again.”
“As President, the first bill I signed into law was the Laken Riley Act. In Laken’s memory, this commonsense law mandates the detention and deportation of illegal alien criminals and allows States to sue the Federal Government when politicians fail to enforce immigration laws,” the Republican leader added.
