The children of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos — the Phoenix woman whose deportation this month attracted national attention — will have good seats when President Donald Trump addresses Congress next week.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva — and his congressional colleague from Arizona, Ruben Gallego — have invited them as official guests, just two weeks after their mother was deported. It will be the first time Trump addresses Congress.
Garcia de Rayos had been in the United States for over twenty years, and was detained after voluntarily checking in with local ICE officers — an appointment she has kept annually for years without incident.
“I am pleased to welcome Jacqueline Garcia de Rayos as my guest for the president’s joint session address next week,” Grijalva said. “Two weeks ago, our nation was appalled to see the Trump administration target Jacqueline’s mom, Guadalupe — a wife, breadwinner, mother of two and longtime member of the Phoenix community — with deportation while she met voluntarily with ICE officials.”
Several members of the House have invited immigrants and foreigners to attend Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Among them: an Iraqi-born doctor who discovered elevated levels of lead in the blood of many children living in Flint, Michigan; a Pakistani-born doctor who delivers critical care in Rhode Island; and an American-born daughter of Palestinian refugees who helps families like hers.
Grijalva said the Garcia de Rayos family has shown courage in speaking out against Trump’s immigration policies.
“Their example is a bright light of hope for immigrant communities across this country who are fearful that Trump will come for them next. Their fight is all of our fight, and I am proud to stand side by side with them in opposition to these atrocious policies,” he said.
