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Congresswoman Garcia to be joined by DACA recipient for State of the Union

February 4, 2019

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29) is proud to announce Devani Gonzalez of Galena Park, Texas will be her guest for the 2019 State of the Union address on February 5. Devani is a Substitute Teacher who came to the United States when she was 7 years old. Before graduating from San Jacinto Community College with an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice in 2017, she was awarded with the 2017 Outstanding Criminal Justice Student Award. After graduation she was a recruit with the Community Volunteer Fire Department. She is currently working on an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal at San Jacinto Community College. She aspires to become a law enforcement officer but is unable to because of her lack of status.

Devani Gonzalez enthusiastically accepted her invitation to attend the State of the Union as Congresswoman Garcia's guest.

"It is a huge privilege to be invited to the State of the Union. It is important to be there as a woman, a student and an immigrant. As a DACA recipient, our community's voice must be heard especially now when the national rhetoric is skewed against us. As we continue our fight for a more just immigration system that will allow my peers to achieve our goals, I want to remind people that our parents are the original dreamers. My dream is to become a police officer and protect my community that has given so much to me," said Devani Gonzalez.

Congresswoman Garcia welcomes the opportunity to elevate Ms. Gonzalez's story and remind the community what is at stake with immigration law negotiations.

"Devani's parents must be proud to have such an accomplished and hardworking daughter. When the conversation in Washington seems focused on billions of dollars for a border wall, we must remember that the people so often put in the center of the negotiating table have hopes, dreams, fears, and goals just like every other American. We must honor their commitment to our country by giving them a roadmap to citizenship once and for all. I don't know what the president will say in his speech, but I know that Devani will inspire others just as she has inspired me," said Congresswoman Garcia.

Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia represents the 29th Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives which covers parts of north and southeast of Houston, South Houston, Galena Park, Pasadena, Channelview, Humble, Aldine, and Jacinto City. She previously served as a Texas state senator, Harris County commissioner, Houston City Controller, and presiding judge of the Houston Municipal Courts.