Originally published on 2/24/26

President Donald Trump recently invited “Angel Families” to the White House to help them honor their lost loved ones. He also signed a proclamation declaring February 22 as National Angel Family Day. But what exactly is an Angel family? And how can you help these families in your community? We look into it all below. 

What are Angel Families? 

In recent years, the term Angel Family has been used to describe families who have lost a loved one in an act of violence committed by an undocumented migrant. The label is often used by some politicians and advocacy groups in the context of immigration debates, and not all bereaved families embrace or use it themselves.

One of the most prominent examples of this is the Riley family, who lost their daughter Laken on February 22, 2024. She was just 22 when she was killed while on a run near the University of Georgia, where she was studying nursing. 

Riley’s family attended the White House event honoring Angel Families on Monday, February 23, and was acknowledged by the government in the official proclamation making February 22 National Angel Family Day. 

“On the second anniversary of Laken Riley’s murder, we remember her kindness and the promise of her young life,” reads the White House proclamation from President Trump. “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.” 

Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, recognized this, saying in a speech, “If you’ve lived that nightmare that we have lived, you understand the importance of the job that he’s [President Trump] doing in securing our nation and fighting for our families—because this could be any family. This happened to my family. This could be anyone’s family. Lanken was the most responsible, hardworking, kind, selfless, beautiful Christian and she wasn’t someone who put herself in bad positions. She didn’t make bad choices. She was just a good girl, and she just wanted to go for a run that morning.” 

Other families who lost loved ones in crimes attributed to undocumented immigrants and attended the Angel Family event included: 

• Steve Ronnebeck, whose 21‑year‑old son, Grant, was shot and killed in 2015
• Laura Wilkerson, whose son Joshua was killed in 2010
• Marie Vega, whose son Javier was killed in 2014
• Jody Jones, whose brother Rocky was killed in 2018

How you can help Angel Families 

To help Angel Families, consider donating or volunteering with nonprofit organizations that provide grief counseling, legal aid or financial support to crime victims’ families. You can also advocate for policies that advocate for victims of homicides by calling your representatives about expanding funding and counseling for families of those lost and ensuring faster access to mental health support and legal aid.

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/life/family/what-are-angel-families-definition-and-support-resources