‘Angel Families’ Return to Washington to Back Up Trump Ahead of State of the Union

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by Katie Rogers

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

President Trump invited families of individuals killed by undocumented immigrants, referred to as "Angel Families," to attend his State of the Union address, further solidifying their connection to his immigration agenda. These families have become closely tied to Trump's political messaging, particularly his claims about election fraud and the importance of securing the border. At a White House event, Trump honored these victims by signing a proclamation, using the moment to link his unproven election conspiracy theories to the lives lost. During the gathering, Trump told the families that their loved ones might still be alive if the 2020 election hadn't been "rigged." This marked the first time he directly connected his baseless claims about election fraud to the tragic deaths of these individuals. Marie Vega, whose son was killed by undocumented immigrants in 2014, reiterated Trump's assertion that he won the 2020 election and expressed support for his immigration policies. The event highlighted how Trump has leveraged the grief of these families to advance his political narrative. By framing them as allies in his immigration debate, Trump aims to rally support for his hard-line policies. The "Angel Families" have become symbolic figures in his rhetoric, helping him appeal to a base concerned about border security and illegal immigration. This strategy underscores Trump's efforts to tie immigration enforcement to national security and justice for victims' families. However, critics argue that using these families for political gain distracts from the real pain of their loss and perpetuates unfounded claims about election fraud. The incident also raises questions about the ethical use of personal tragedies in partisan politics. Ultimately, the event reflects the broader divide in the immigration debate, with Trump using emotional narratives to bolster his policies. As the State of the Union approaches, these families' presence will likely amplify Trump's message, continuing a contentious chapter in American politics.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/23/2026