TUCSON – Representatives Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Tucson) and Ruben Gallego (D-Phoenix) released the following statements announcing that they will be bringing Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos’ children as guests to the president’s joint address to Congress next week.
Guadalupe’s story gained national attention in the beginning of February after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained her in Phoenix, Arizona and deported her the very next morning, marking the very first deportation carried out by the Trump administration. She 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,” Rep. 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 long-time member of the Phoenix community – with deportation while she met voluntarily with ICE officials. Jacqueline and her brother have shown tremendous courage in speaking out against Trump’s abhorrent immigration policies, which recent DHS memos have made clear are nothing short of mass deportation. 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.”
“I am honored to announce that I will be joined by Angel Garcia de Rayos, the teenage son of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, during next week’s State of the Union Address,” Rep. Gallego said. “Congressman Grijalva and I invited Angel and his sister Jacqueline to the address because we believe it is important for Donald Trump to face the people who have been victimized by his disastrous policies. As a result of Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, Phoenix lost a long-time member of the community and two young Americans lost their mother.
“Unfortunately, the Garcia de Rayos family’s experience is not unique. In the first month of Trump’s presidency, we have seen a wave of raids and arrests that have torn many immigrant families apart. These actions have also caused deep fear and uncertainty in communities across the country. Jacqueline and Angel have courageously spoken out against President Trump’s actions and we look forward to helping elevate their story. By standing alongside Angel and Jaqueline we hope to show immigrants everywhere that they are not alone and that we are prepared to challenge this administration in order to preserve America’s fundamental values and freedoms.”
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