The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that some Democratic lawmakers are planning to bring illegal immigrants as their special guests to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in Washington.
Under longstanding tradition, members of Congress may invite at least one guest to attend the State of the Union address.
Lawmakers often use the opportunity to highlight political or policy issues by selecting guests connected to their legislative priorities.
In a post on Tuesday, February 24, evening ahead of the annual event, DHS said some Democrats intended to invite individuals the department described as illegal immigrants.
“Today, some Democrats in Congress are planning to bring illegal aliens as guests to the State of the Union. Once again, they are putting illegal aliens above the safety of American citizens.”
The department did not specify which lawmakers were planning to bring guests described as illegal immigrants.
Guests linked to immigration operations
Reports indicate that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to invite Raiza Contreras, whose son Dylan Lopez Contreras was detained by immigration agents last year.
Schumer said Lopez Contreras had entered the United States legally and was complying with immigration rules.
“I am proud to bring Raiza as my personal guest to the State of the Union to show how ICE is hurting families and terrorizing communities across America,” Schumer said in a statement. “Dylan deserves to be home with his mom and in the community that loves him. We must rein in ICE.”
Department of Homeland Security officials have described the 20-year-old student as an illegal immigrant from Venezuela.
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Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota also said she plans to invite four guests who have been affected by immigration enforcement in her state.
Omar said her guests would include Aliya Rahman, Mary Granlund, Mubashir Hussen, and Gerardo Orozco Guzman. Some Democrats have also selected guests to highlight other issues.
Representative Robert Garcia of California said he would invite Annie Farmer, a survivor of abuse linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Garcia said he would attend alternative programming while Farmer attends the president’s address.
President Trump is also expected to bring several special guests to the event. The White House said guests include members of the U.S. men’s hockey team, and a Korean War veteran who is expected to receive the Medal of Honor during the address.
The White House has said Trump’s guests at the speech will highlight his policies, including “everyday Americans” who have benefited from them.
Also in attendance will be Erika Kirk, whose husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was assassinated at Utah Valley University during a campus event last year.
“The president will call on Congress to ‘firmly reject political violence against our fellow citizens’ with Charlie Kirk’s widow in the chamber,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X.
Trump spoke at the memorial service for Kirk, whose Turning Point USA group helped to turn out young voters for Trump in the 2024 election.
Democrats plan to boycott Trump’s State of the Union Address
The developments come as dozens of Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott the State of the Union address or participate in alternative events near the Capitol instead of attending the speech.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democratic lawmakers had two main options regarding the address.
“The two options that are in front of us in our House is to either attend with silent defiance or to not attend, and send a message to Donald Trump in that fashion,” Jeffries said during a recent news conference.
Several Democrats are expected to attend a counterprogramming event on the National Mall known as the “People’s State of the Union.” Participants are expected to include Senators Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy, Tina Smith, and Chris Van Hollen, as well as Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Becca Balint, and Greg Casar.
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Another event, described as the “State of the Swamp,” is scheduled at the National Press Club and is expected to include Senator Ron Wyden and several House lawmakers.
Some lawmakers are planning to boycott the address entirely. A spokesperson for Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said she will not attend the speech.
The planned protests follow demonstrations during previous presidential addresses. Last year, Representative Al Green of Texas was escorted from the chamber after interrupting Trump’s speech, while other Democrats held signs, wore protest messages, or walked out of the chamber.
President Trump is scheduled to deliver the first formal State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday evening with remarks starting at 9 pm (02:00 GMT).
The speech is expected to include a review of his administration’s accomplishments in its first year, as well as remarks on the economy and foreign policy.
Trump is also expected to address immigration policy, including recent enforcement operations that have drawn both support and criticism.
The State of the Union address comes amid heightened political tensions in Washington as lawmakers prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.
The US president earlier suggested that his speech tonight could run on the longer side.
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