California members of Congress invite DACA recipients to State of the Union address
More than a dozen members of Congress, mostly Democrats but at least one Florida Republican, are bringing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients with them to President Donald Trump's first State of the Union address Tuesday night to call attention to the Obama-era immigration program, which is in jeopardy now.
Seven of the congressional leaders doing so are from California, including Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego.
"We expect this to be the largest number of ‘Dreamers' to ever attend a State of the Union," said Carlos Paz Jr., communications director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Democrats held a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the speech sharing why they invited the DACA recipients and calling for legislation to permanently protect them. People who are part of the DACA program were brought to the U.S. by immigrant parents when they were children and have obtained two-year work permits and protection against deportation. Program participants can't have serious criminal histories or have arrived in the United States before 2007, when they can't have been older than 16.
"They come expressing beautifully their dignity and their courage and respect for our institutions," saidHouse Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco.
America's young people are the pride of our nation – #DREAMers included. We will not stop fighting for you.
These are the California members of Congress bringing DACA recipients to the State of the Union Address.
Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego
I'm honored to have Karen, a San Diego Dreamer, accompany me to the #StateOfTheUnion. Read more about Karen's story: https://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-invites-san-diego-dreamer-to-be-his-state-of-the-union-guest …
Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles
TODAY: Join us on Facebook Live at 1:45 pm Pacific for a conversation with Los Angeles DREAMer Itayu Torres, my #SOTU guest. #DREAMActNow -JG
Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach
Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino
I'm proud to announce that Leticia Herrera-Mendez, a DACA recipient and student leader at @CSUSBNews, will join me at the #SOTU. Leticia's inspiring story is another reason why Congress must enact legislation like the #USAact to #ProtectDreamers.https://www.pe.com/2018/01/26/here-are-some-guests-southern-california-lawmakers-are-taking-to-trumps-state-of-the-union/ …
Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel
Proud to share that Adriana, a DREAMer living, working, and studying on the central coast of California, will be my guest at this year's State of the Union address. #SOTU #ProtectDACA
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-San Francisco
Everyone – I want you to meet my guest to tonight's State of the Union, the fantastic @DeneaRandeen. Denea is a Californian, UCLA alumnus, aspiring law student, activist, and DACA recipient.
Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park
The DACA recipients faced some risk in traveling to Washington for the State of the Union address and anti-immigration advocates, including Rep. Paul Gosar, were extremely unhappy to see them. The Arizona Republican called for the guests to be arrested on site.
Today, Congressman Paul Gosar contacted the U.S. Capitol Police, as well as Attorney General Jeff Sessions, asking they consider checking identification of all attending the State of the Union address and arresting any illegal aliens in attendance.
Additionally, Congressman Gosar asked that they arrest those using fraudulent social security numbers and identification to pass through security.
"Of all the places where the Rule of Law needs to be enforced, it should be in the hallowed halls of Congress. Any illegal aliens attempting to go through security, under any pretext of invitation or otherwise, should be arrested and deported," said Congressman Gosar.
Want to watch the 2018 State of the Union address? Click here for information: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/the-conversation/sd-how-to-watch-trump-first-state-of-union-address-tuesday-20180126-htmlstory.html