DREAMers invited to Trump speech as guests of Democratic lawmakers

CLOSE

Skip in Skip

x

Embed

x

Share

President Donald Trump will deliver a speech to Congress on Tuesday night. Newslook

Martha Zavala Perez is one of several DREAMers, undocumented immigrants brought into the country as children, who will be guests of members of Congress at President Trump's speech Tuesday night before a joint session. They remain in the country legally under an Obama administration program that Trump could change. (Photo: Submitted)

104 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN 18 COMMENT EMAIL MORE

WASHINGTON — In the audience facing President Trump on Tuesday night during his first speech to a joint session of Congress will be at least four DREAMers, undocumented immigrants whose futures he will be deciding soon.

The four, all guests of Democratic members of Congress, were brought to the U.S. illegally as children but have been allowed to stay under an Obama administration program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Martha Zavala Perez didn’t learn she was an undocumented immigrant until she began applying to community college at 17. Her Mexican parents had brought her to the United States when she was 1.

Zavala Perez, 25, who teaches public speaking at California State University Channel Islands after receiving a bachelor’s degree there and a master’s in intercultural communications at Pepperdine University, will be the guest of California Democratic Rep. Julia Brownley. Her office intervened when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement let the renewal of Zavala Perez's DACA status lapse last autumn.

Without a work permit, she lost her job at the Channel Islands campus, she said, and began washing dishes for cash in the underground economy until the renewal came through. Brownley’s office contacted her and, once the implications of her travel to Washington became clear, she briefly wondered if she could make the trip.

“Once I realized what the invitation was, I was struck with fear,” she said. “Can I get on an airplane?”

Despite __news that some DACA recipients have been detained in recent immigration raids, such as the case of Daniel Ramirez Medina in Seattle, she was scheduled to hop a flight Tuesday morning bound for D.C.

“I’m walking into a federal building where the leader of my country hates me,” she said. “After the initial shock, I realized I had a duty. I may be a DREAMer, but I am a very privileged DREAMer. I have a master’s degree. I have a duty to speak up. I have a duty to put my fears aside.”

Trump has expressed sympathy for DREAMers but has not explicitly said DACA will continue.

Asked what she’d like to say to the president if she had the chance, she said: “If I could sit in front of the president for even five seconds, I’d say ‘Remember that you’re dealing with people’s lives. … From a personal standpoint, someone is passing judgment on me without knowing me. My parents want for me what you want for your children.”

DACA was instituted by the Department of Homeland Security in 2012 and now protects an estimated 740,000 people with renewable, two-year work permits and deferred action on deportation, allowing many to work legally and go to school openly.

Read more:

How 'dreamers' are preparing in case Trump ends Obama immigration actions

New DHS guidelines outline tougher stance on undocumented immigrants

Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., initially invited a 23-year-old DACA-protected Santa Barbara resident but she backed out last week “not feeling comfortable with bringing public attention to herself,” said his spokeswoman, Tess Whittlesey.

Now, Izeah Garcia, a U.S. citizen from Fullerton attending U.C.Santa Barbara will be Carbajal’s guest in the gallery for the speech.

“I'm a fourth-year history of public policy major, a first-generation college student and the son of Mexican immigrants,” said Garcia in a statement released by Carbajal’s office. “My success is due to my parent’s struggle.

“My family is fearful of the anti-immigrant rhetoric and sentiment elevated by Trump’s statements. My friends on campus, especially those protected by DACA, are living in fear of future executive actions.”

California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris’ guest is Yuriana Aguilar, who arrived in Fresno before kindergarten. She is a DACA-protected biomedical researcher believed to be the first with that status to earn a Ph.D. She works as an instructor at the Rush Medical College’s Department of Physiology and Biophysics in Chicago.

“For me there are certainly fears,” she said in a statement posted on Harris’ Facebook page. “I fear that I’ll be in the flea market one day (when) they will be rounding people up for deportations. I fear that no one is going to care that I have a Ph.D. or that I have lived in the United States for as long as I can remember.”

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Tuesday noted that California Democratic Reps. Nannette Barragan and Lou Correa will have DACA-covered guests Tuesday night, while Arizona Democratic Reps. Ruben Gallego and Raul Grijalva will host the U.S. citizen children of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, a Phoenix woman recently deported to Mexico.

Read more:

How the last 5 presidents handled their first address to Congress

Trump comes before Congress, a body he has largely bypassed

Here's how to watch Trump's joint address to Congress

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

President Trump: A new era in Washington begins

 Fullscreen

Post to Facebook

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Trump holds up an executive order to bolster historically black colleges and universities after signing it in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2017.  Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

Trump leads a listening session with health insurance company CEOs in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Feb. 27, 2017.  Aude Guerrucci, Pool/European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

Trump makes a toast during a dinner reception for the annual National Governors Association winter meeting on Feb. 26, 2017, in the State Dining Room of the White House.  Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

Fullscreen

Trump waves while walking across the South Lawn of the White House to depart on Marine One on Feb. 24, 2017.  Michael Reynolds, European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

Trump and Pence arrive for a meeting with manufacturing executives at the White House on Feb. 23, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

Fullscreen

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin listens at right as Trump speaks during a meeting on the federal budget on Feb. 22, 2017, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.  Evan Vucci, AP

Fullscreen

Trump walks past an exhibit for Dr. Ben Carson, his nominee for Housing and Urban Development secretary, during a tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Feb. 21, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

Fullscreen

Trump reaches out to shake hands with Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 20, 2017, where Trump announced that McMaster will be the new national security adviser.  Susan Walsh, AP

Fullscreen

The Trumps attend a campaign-style rally on Feb. 18, 2017, in Melbourne, Fla.  Chris O'Meara, AP

Fullscreen

President Trump walks with his grandchildren Arabella Kushner and Joseph Kushner to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Feb. 17, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

Fullscreen

Trump speaks during a __news conference on Feb. 16, 2017, in the East Room of the White House.  Evan Vucci, AP

Fullscreen

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 15, 2017.  Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

Fullscreen

Trump meets with retail industry leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Feb. 15, 2017.  Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos attend a meeting with parents and teachers on Feb. 14, 2017, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.  Evan Vucci, AP

Fullscreen

Trump looks on as Steven Mnuchin is sworn in as Treasury secretary on Feb. 13, 2017.  Alex Wong, Getty Images

Fullscreen

Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office on Feb. 13, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

Fullscreen

Trump walks from Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House as he returns from his weekend trip to Mar-a-Lago on Feb. 12, 2017.  Molly Riley, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe listen to the translator after they both made statements about North Korea at Mar-a-Lago on Feb. 11, 2017.  Susan Walsh, AP

Fullscreen

President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, accompanied by their wives, first lady Melania Trump and Akie Abe, wave before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base on Feb. 10, 2017.  Jose Luis Magana, AP

Fullscreen

Trump walks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House on Feb. 10, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

Fullscreen

President Trump speaks to Democratic and Republican senators about Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch in the Roosevelt Room on Feb. 9, 2017.  Pool, Getty Images

Fullscreen

Trump arrives for a meeting with airline executives on Feb. 9, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

Fullscreen

President Trump leaves after speaking at the Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sheriff's Association Winter Meeting in Washington on Feb. 8, 2017.  Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich speaks during a meeting with Trump on Feb. 8, 2017, where Intel announced an investment of $7 billion to build a factory in Chandler, Ariz., to create advanced semi-conductor chips.  Chris Kleponis, Pool/European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

Trump holds up a gift given to him by county sheriffs following a meeting as they pose for photos in the Oval Office on Feb. 7, 2017.  Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

President Trump has lunch with troops during a visit to the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base on Feb. 6, 2017, in Tampa, Fla.  Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

The Trumps watch the Super Bowl at a party at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 5, 2017.  Susan Walsh, AP

Fullscreen

The Trumps arrive for the 60th Annual Red Cross Gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on on Feb. 4, 2017.  Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

President Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump on the tarmac after he arrived on Air Force One at the Palm Beach International Airport for a visit to Mar-a-Lago on Feb. 3, 2017.  Joe Raedle, Getty Images

Fullscreen

Trump waves as he walks from Marine One to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Feb. 3, 2017, en route to Mar-a-Lago for the weekend.  Susan Walsh, AP

Fullscreen

Trump speaks during the beginning of a policy and strategy forum with business executives in the State Dining Room of the White House on Feb. 3, 2017.  Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Vice President Pence look on as Trump speaks briefly to reporters after greeting Harley Davidson executives on the South Lawn of the White House on Feb. 2, 2017.  Drew Angerer, Getty Images

Fullscreen

Television producer Mark Burnett, left, and Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., look on as Trump waves upon his arrival for the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 2, 2017, in Washington.  Evan Vucci, AP

Fullscreen

Trump takes his seat between Paula White of the New Destiny Christian Center and NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre at a meeting on his nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court in the Roosevelt Room on Feb. 1, 2017.  Michael Reynolds, European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

Trump shakes hands with Neil Gorsuch, his Supreme Court nominee, in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 31, 2017.  Michael Reynolds, European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

Trump meets with leaders of the pharmaceutical industry at the White House on Jan. 31, 2017.  Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

President Trump meets with small-business leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Jan. 30, 2017.  Jim Lo Scalzo, European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

President Trump speaks on the phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office on Jan. 28, 2017.  Michael Reynolds, European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

Trump shakes hands with Defense Secretary James Mattis during an event at the Pentagon on Jan. 27, 2017. Vice President Pence is at right.  Susan Walsh, AP

Fullscreen

Trump greets British Prime Minister Theresa May as she arrives at the White House on Jan. 27, 2017.  Shawn Thew, European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell watch as President Trump arrives to speak to House and Senate GOP lawmakers at the annual policy retreat in Philadelphia on Jan. 26, 2017.  Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

Fullscreen

Trump boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Jan. 26, 2017, as he departed to attend a Republican congressional retreat in Philadelphia.  Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

Trump, accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, gives a thumbs-up on Jan. 25, 2017, at the White House.  Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

Fullscreen

Trump reads from one of the executive orders he signed during a visit to the Department of Homeland Security with Vice President Mike Pence, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and other officials in Washington on Jan. 25, 2017.  Chip Somodevilla, Pool/European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

Trump arrives for meeting with automobile leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Jan. 24, 2017.  Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

Fullscreen

Trump displays one of five executive actions he signed in the Oval Office on Jan. 24, 2017.  Shawn Thew, European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

Trump speaks during a reception for House and Senate leaders in the the State Dining Room of the White House on Jan. 23, 2017.  Susan Walsh, AP

Fullscreen

Trump signs executive actions in the Oval Office on Jan. 23, 2017.  Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

Trump meets with business leaders on Jan. 23, 2017, in the Roosevelt Room.  Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

Fullscreen

President Trump holds a letter left for him by former president Barack Obama as Vice President Pence looks on before the swearing-in of the White House senior staff on Jan. 22, 2017.  Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

Fullscreen

Trump speaks at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., on Jan. 21, 2017.  Andrew Harnik, AP

Fullscreen

The Trumps arrive for a National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral on Jan. 21, 2017.  Andrew Harnik, AP

Fullscreen

The president and first lady thank guests during the Freedom Ball at the Washington Convention Center on Jan. 20, 2017.  Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Fullscreen

The Trumps and Pences attend the Freedom Ball on Jan. 20, 2017.  Kevin Dietsch, Pool/European Pressphoto Agency

Fullscreen

Trump waves as he walks with first lady Melania Trump during the inaugural parade on Pennsylvania Avenue.  Evan Vucci, Pool

Fullscreen

Trump is joined by the congressional leadership and his family as he formally signs his cabinet nominations into law in the President’s Room of the Senate on Jan. 20, 2017.  J. Scott Applewhite, Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Fullscreen

Trump greets House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other congressional leaders as he arrives for his inauguration luncheon at the Capitol on Inauguration Day.  J. Scott Applewhite, Pool

Fullscreen

Trump and Obama arrive for Trump’'s inauguration luncheon at the Capitol.  J. Scott Applewhite, Pool

Fullscreen

The Trumps and Obamas stand on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2017.  Rob Carr, Getty Images

Fullscreen

Trump is seen speaking on video monitor on the National Mall during his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017.  John Minchillo, AP

Fullscreen

Trump delivers his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2017, on the west front of the U.S. Capitol  Porter Binks, USA TODAY

Fullscreen

Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2017, as his family looks on.  Jim Bourg, Pool

Fullscreen

Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

Replay

• 1 of 62
• 2 of 62
• 3 of 62
• 4 of 62
• 5 of 62
• 6 of 62
• 7 of 62
• 8 of 62
• 9 of 62
• 10 of 62
• 11 of 62
• 12 of 62
• 13 of 62
• 14 of 62
• 15 of 62
• 16 of 62
• 17 of 62
• 18 of 62
• 19 of 62
• 20 of 62
• 21 of 62
• 22 of 62
• 23 of 62
• 24 of 62
• 25 of 62
• 26 of 62
• 27 of 62
• 28 of 62
• 29 of 62
• 30 of 62
• 31 of 62
• 32 of 62
• 33 of 62
• 34 of 62
• 35 of 62
• 36 of 62
• 37 of 62
• 38 of 62
• 39 of 62
• 40 of 62
• 41 of 62
• 42 of 62
• 43 of 62
• 44 of 62
• 45 of 62
• 46 of 62
• 47 of 62
• 48 of 62
• 49 of 62
• 50 of 62
• 51 of 62
• 52 of 62
• 53 of 62
• 54 of 62
• 55 of 62
• 56 of 62
• 57 of 62
• 58 of 62
• 59 of 62
• 60 of 62
• 61 of 62
• 62 of 62

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last Slide Next Slide

104 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN 18 COMMENT EMAIL MORE

Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/2m3ZvYg