Larson to Attend People’s State of the Union on the National Mall, Welcome Bristol Family Targeted by Trump Immigration Application Ban to the Capitol

East Hartford, CT - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced he will not attend President Trump's State of the Union address. Larson will join progressive lawmakers and advocates across the country to speak out at the National Mall for a "People's State of the Union."

"Over the last year, we have seen President Trump and his administration terrorize the American people, treating the Constitution like a mere suggestion to follow - and not the law of the land," said Larson. "The only thing we will hear in Tuesday's address is another barrage of lies. Trump and his allies are more focused on tax breaks for their billionaire buddies and transforming ICE into a personal army - even threatening to militarize our elections. He has no plan to lower costs for families, and no interest in reining in the armed, masked agents he has unleashed on our communities. I cannot in good conscience attend this year's State of the Union and will instead join with Americans from across the country to speak out against this president's failed leadership. We need to disband ICE and divert its funding to the issues keeping families up at night."

Larson will be joined in Washington, D.C., by his guest, Moises Ricardo, and Mr. Ricardo's son, Marlon Ricardo Camejo. Moises Ricardo is a Bristol resident who came to the United States from Cuba 17 years ago. He recently had a scheduled citizenship appointment canceled after U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem issued a discriminatory banin December pausing all immigration applications for residents from 19 countries, including Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela. Rep. Larson has been advocating for Mr. Ricardo's case to move forward and filed articles of impeachmentagainst Secretary Noem for her continued abuses of power impeding on residents' constitutional rights.

"I am pleased to welcome Moises Ricardo, and his son Marlon, to Washington, who have bravely come forward to tell their story," said Larson. "Moises Ricardo came to the United States from Cuba nearly two decades ago and has been a proud Bristol resident for many years. He was on track to become a U.S. citizen this year, until Kristi Noem canceled his appointment - not because he did anything wrong, but because of where he came from. That is discrimination - plain and simple. I am proud to stand with the Ricardos and speak out, not only for Moises, but for everyone who has been targeted by this president, Secretary Noem, and their extreme policies that go against the very values we hold dear as Americans."

"It is an honor to attend the State of the Union. As the son of a Cuban immigrant whose citizenship process has been halted, this moment is deeply personal," said Bristol resident Marlon Ricardo Camejo. "My father followed every legal step, worked hard, and believed in the American promise. Being present in this chamber reminds our family that democracy is not just about policy - it is about people, about hope, and about the belief that this country is strongest when it keeps its word to those who follow the law."

Larson will join the People's State of the Union outside the Capitol during President Trump's address. You can register for a livestream of the People's State of the Union HERE.