Oxnard DREAMer invited to attend Trump’s speech to Congress
Martha Zavala Perez, a California State University Channel Islands graduate, has been invited to attend Donald Trump’s address to a joint Congress Tuesday night by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA).
Martha’s story is different than most in her graduating class. She obtained DREAMer status under President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. You see, Martha was brought to the United States at the age of one by her parents from Mexicali, Mexico in search of a better life.
Martha was unaware of her legal status until she told her parents about her wishes to attend college while still attending high school in Oxnard. Despite all of the risks associated with Martha’s legal status, she attended CSUCI from which she holds a bachelor’s degree. She also holds a master’s degree from Pepperdine University.
She’s worked as a Special Consultant to the Vice President for Student Affairs at a local institution of higher learning, and working in the school’s Undocumented Student Services office, which supports undocumented students in their pursuit of higher education.
“I invited Martha Zavala Perez to the joint session because I want President Trump, and all Americans, to know her story of hard-work and success, as well as Martha’s incredible passion and commitment to service in our community. Martha, and more than 750,000 other DREAMers, deserve our compassion and our support,” said Congresswoman Brownley.
“Many DREAMers know no other home than the United States. Many have completed high school and have pursued college degrees. Many have served in our military. The DACA program has given these young people a chance to work hard and contribute to our nation,” said the congresswoman. “I hope that President Trump will learn their stories, and that he will agree that they should be able to earn a pathway towards citizenship and the opportunity live up to their full potential.”
The presidents address to congress is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. You can watch a live stream of the event here on our website.
