Overview
- A presidential proclamation designates February 22 as National Angel Family Day to honor families of people killed by individuals in the United States illegally, a date chosen to remember Laken Riley.
- At an East Room ceremony, the White House read the names of two survivors and 62 deceased victims and held a candle-lighting as relatives, including Riley’s mother Allyson Phillips, delivered remarks.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border adviser Tom Homan attended as President Trump called for continued deportations and tougher border enforcement.
- The White House highlighted the Laken Riley Act, which Trump signed on January 29, 2025, requiring federal detention of noncitizens arrested for specified offenses such as burglary or theft.
- The administration faulted major news outlets for limited live coverage and tied the event to ongoing policy fights over immigration enforcement tactics and stalled DHS funding.