Trump hosts Laken Riley’s mother, blasts Biden border policies at White House event
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump hosted members of "Angel Families" at the White House, on Monday, February 23, inviting relatives of victims killed by individuals in the country illegally to share their stories.
Among those who spoke were Allyson Phillips, the mother of Laken Riley, and Marie Vega, whose son was also killed in a separate incident involving undocumented migrants.
The event centered on immigration enforcement and border security, with Trump sharply criticizing the policies of former President Joe Biden. Several speakers expressed gratitude to Trump for highlighting their cases and drawing attention to immigration policy.
Riley’s mother thanks Trump, warns ‘This could be any family’
Allyson Phillips addressed attendees after Trump called her to the stage, expressing appreciation for the president’s continued attention to her daughter’s case.
“You have said from the beginning, literally, the day after this happened, 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. Most people wouldn't.”
She added, “President Trump you are doing a thankless job that most people just wouldn't do, and I just can't thank you enough.” Phillips described her daughter as responsible, hardworking and selfless, saying Riley was a committed Christian who made good choices and worked to help others without expecting anything in return.
She also warned other families that similar tragedies could occur. “This happened to my family, this could be any one of your families,” Phillips said.
She further thanked Trump for recognizing other Angel Families, a term used to describe relatives of people killed by undocumented immigrants. “I'm beyond blessed and thankful that you're honoring not just Laken, because she's one of a ton of people that have suffered at the hands of illegal immigrants,” she said.
Angel mom Marie Vega, former officer speak as Trump targets Biden policies
Marie Vega, whose son was killed in an encounter involving undocumented migrants, also addressed the gathering. “Without you, America and the world would not know the consequences of open borders,” Vega told Trump.
She said, “I can't imagine what it must be like to wake up every morning, work so diligently amid attacks and resistance from the left to deal with the craziness, the fraud and the swamp, but you get it done day in and day out, all while finding solutions to making America great again."
Former New York City Police Department officer Ethan Curreri also spoke, recounting his prior arrest of Riley's killer, Jose Ibarr,a on separate charges before Riley’s death."I personally arrested Jose Ibarra for endangering the welfare of a child. A few months later, I saw his face again in the news after he viciously murdered Laken Riley,” Curreri said. “I did my job. I put him in custody. The system failed... no accountability and an innocent American life was taken.”
Trump praised the speakers and criticized former President Joe Biden, blaming his administration for what he described as failures in immigration enforcement. “Throughout this hall, I am joined by heartbroken Americans who have lost parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and treasured loved ones to the scourge of illegal immigration led in by the past administration,” Trump said, adding that Angel Families were people “that for decades our government betrayed.”
