President Trump held an event at the White House Friday afternoon honoring American families who are the victims of illegal alien crime.
"These are the American citizens permanently separated from their loved ones. The word you have to think about is 'permanently,'" Trump said with parents holding photos in memory of their children behind him. "The news media has overlooked their stories."
"For years their pain was met with silence, their plight with indifference, but no more..." pic.twitter.com/LWxcMJJk5j
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 22, 2018
A number of family members spoke and told devastating stories about their loss.
Ray Tranchant tells @POTUS and @VP of losing his 16-year-old daughter Tessa in 2007 to an illegal alien drunk driver. pic.twitter.com/fiq3rigoKC
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 22, 2018
As @POTUS listens, Juan Pina tells of losing his 14-year-old daughter Christy Sue Pina in 1990. Says her alleged killer finally extradited last month from Mexico. pic.twitter.com/Wdfoo65Arq
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 22, 2018
desert*
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) June 22, 2018
Angel mom at @POTUS event: "I didn't drag him over borders, through desserts, I didn't place him in harm's way. I protected my child from harm, but I couldn't do that on July 12, 2012."
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) June 22, 2018
Angel Father speaking at @POTUS event talking about his son's death: "This is permanent separation. For his birthday, I go to his grave. We set up a Christmas tree on grant's grave....I wish some of our media had the same integrity as our president, our vice president."
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) June 22, 2018
At White House, mother whose son Josh was tortured and killed by illegal immigrants tells @potus: "We weren’t lucky enough to be separated for five or ten days. We’re separated permanently. Any time we want to visit our son, we go to visit our cemetery."
— Gabby Morrongiello (@gabriellahope_) June 22, 2018
You can watch the entire remarks in their entirety below.