'Perfect exactly the way God made you': 7 highlights from Trump's address to a joint session of Congress

4. Trump memorializes Americans killed by illegal immigrants, renames wildlife refuge

Trump focused heavily on immigration policy in his speech. After introducing Alexis Nungaray, Trump detailed how her 12-year-old daughter Jocelyn was murdered in June 2024 by "two illegal alien monsters from Venezuela released into America by the last administration through their ridiculous open border."

According to Trump, "The death of this beautiful 12-year-old girl and the agony of her mother and family touched our entire nation greatly."

Trump recalled how he promised Alexis Nungaray that "we would always remember your daughter," announcing that he had signed an executive order naming a national wildlife refuge near where the 12-year-old girl lived, the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, in her honor. He held up the order for everyone gathered in the chamber to see.

Trump also highlighted the 2024 murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley at the hands of an illegal immigrant with a criminal record.

After acknowledging the presence of Riley's mother, Allyson, and sister, Lauren, in the House gallery, he expressed gratitude that "The very first bill I signed into law as your 47th president mandates the detention of all dangerous criminal aliens who threaten public safety." 

"It's called the Laken Riley Act," he said.

He assured Riley's surviving relatives that "America will never, ever forget our beautiful Laken Hope Riley."