We are also expecting to see a few special guests in attendance this year.
The tradition of inviting special guests to the State of the Union address started in 1982, when President Reagan invited Lenny Skutnik to attend as a tribute to his heroism during the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. The list of invited special guests this year is quite lengthy. Among such guests as Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, are some individuals who feel strongly about comprehensive immigration reform. These individuals include immigration activists, DACA approvals, and undocumented immigrants.
You'll recognize Alan Aleman from President Obama's speech in Las Vegas last month. Alan was born in Mexico City, Mexico and his parent brought him to the U.S. when he was eleven years old. He was one of the first residents of Nevada to receive a work permit under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
Senator Mark R. Warner (D “ Virginia) has invited Ambar Pinto, a 19-year-old student from Fairfax County, Virginia. Like Alan, Ambar's parents brought her to the U.S. when she was young “ just twelve years old. Ambar attends Northern Virginia Community College and pays three times more than her documented classmates. Ambar serves on the board of directors at Edu-Futuro, a nonprofit organization that provides education and leadership development to Latino children, youth, and families.
Julieta Garibay will also be attending the State of the Union address as a special guest of Representative Marc Veasey (D “ Texas). Julieta is 32 years old, just one year outside of being eligible for DACA. Her parents brought her to the U.S. when she was twelve years old. Julieta has her master's degree in nursing, but cannot find work because of her status. If she looks familiar to you, that's because she's a founding board member of the United We DREAM Network.
Alan, Ambar, and Julieta are all fighting for one thing “ a concrete plan for Comprehensive Immigration Reform that keeps families together.
President Obama's State of the Union address will begin at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time tonight. Will you be watching with us?