Trump signs proclamation designating 'Day of Remembrance for Victims of Crimes Committed by Illegal Aliens' [Washington AP=Yonhap News]

On the 23rd (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump designated February 22nd as "Angel Family Day" to honor the families of victims who lost their lives to crimes committed by illegal aliens.

President Trump hosted several victim families at the White House, delivered a speech, and signed the proclamation in their presence. "Angel Family" is a term used to describe families of Americans who were murdered by undocumented criminals in the United States.

In his speech, President Trump stated, "We are gathered here today in a truly solemn setting. Together with us are heartbroken Americans who have lost parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, and cherished loved ones due to the scourge of illegal immigration brought on by the previous administration."

He continued by criticizing the former Joe Biden administration and the media, saying, "These are the people betrayed by our government for decades and completely ignored by the press." He then mentioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Border Czar Tom Homan, who are responsible for enforcing immigration laws and strengthening the border, declaring, "We now have a 100% closed border."

During the event, President Trump invited family members to the podium to deliver brief remarks, all of whom expressed their gratitude for his aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration and border reinforcement policies.

Large-scale illegal immigration enforcement and deportation are among the top priorities of the second Trump administration. President Trump has been implementing these measures since taking office on January 20th of last year.

The "Laken Riley Act," named after the American woman who was murdered while jogging in February 2024 by a Venezuelan national who had entered the U.S. illegally, passed Congress on January 22nd of last year, marking the first piece of legislation signed under the second Trump administration. Riley's mother and the police officer who apprehended the perpetrator also gave short speeches at the event.

The grandeur of the event appears to reflect concerns over deteriorating public opinion regarding his immigration policy, following the recent deaths of two Americans shot by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations and protest crackdowns in Minnesota earlier this year.

By once again highlighting the severity and dangers of violent crimes committed by illegal aliens, the administration aims to underscore the legitimacy of his signature policy and shift public sentiment ahead of the midterm elections this November.

President Trump stated, "We will keep fighting, and we will stop this terrible situation. And we have already stopped a lot of it. The murder rate is at its lowest level in 125 years," adding, "We put Americans first. We are protecting American lives and fighting for every Angel Family."

He also offered a preview of his first State of the Union address, scheduled for the night of the 24th before the U.S. Congress: "Our country is doing well right now. We are enjoying the best economy in history, and economic activity is at its highest level ever. You will hear me speak about this tomorrow night; it will be a long speech because there is so much to cover."