February 24, 2017

Reps. Gallego and Grijalva to be Accompanied by the Children of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos to Joint Address to Congress

Washington, D.C.Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) and Congressman Raul Grijalva (AZ-03) announced the names of their guests to next week's joint address to Congress by President Donald Trump. They will be accompanied by Angel and Jacqueline Rayos-Garcia, the children of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, one of the first well-known victims of Trump's new immigration policies.

Rep. Ruben Gallego:

"I am honored to announce that I will be joined by Angel Rayos-Garcia, the teenage son of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, during next week's joint address. 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 Jacqueline 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."

Rep. Raul Grijalva:

"I am pleased to welcome Jacqueline Garcia de Rayos as my guest for the president's joint session address next week. 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."

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