Democrats turn to immigrant to counter Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are turning to an immigrant brought into the U.S. illegally as a child to give a Democratic response to President Donald Trump's address to Congress.
Astrid Silva, 28, said millions of people living in the United States are worried, whether it's about being deported, losing their health insurance coverage or being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
Silva is part of a group of 750,000 immigrants who were brought into the U.S. without authorization as children but later received deportation relief under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program authorized by former President Barack Obama in 2012.
Obama ended up highlighting her story during an address to the nation about a similar deportation relief program for the parents of children who are American citizens or legal residents.
Despite White House promises that the speech will be an optimistic vision for the country that crosses traditional lines of party and race, Democrats expect to hear little that they will like.