President Donald Trump is expected to use tonight's State of the Union address to press the point of immigration reform and, possibly, the border wall, Newsradio 1200 WOAI reports.
Four of the guests invited by the White House are the parents of two teens killed by the international criminal gang Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13. Their deaths were among a string of 17 Long Island murders, linked to the gang.
Also invited by the white house is Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Celestino “CJ” Martinez. His investigations have led to more than 100 arrests of MS-13 gang members.
The invitations strike a tone from the Trump administration that paints undocumented migrants as security risks. MS-13 boasts around 10,000 members in the U.S, and are widely known for their brutal killings.
When an 18-wheeler filled with migrants was found last year at a San Antonio Wal-Mart parking lot, one of the ten people found dead was a 19-year-old deported Dreamer who was suspected of having ties to the gang.
It's sharp contrast to others being brought by Democrat lawmakers, who are attempting to highlight their support for immigration reform, and a path to citizenship for the so-called Dreamers, who are the children of undocumented migrants, who were brought across the border as kids.
Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) will bring a guest to the speech who is a constituent and a Dreamer.
Tonight's speech comes as Congress debates a bill that will address DACA and immigration enforcement. President Trump has been insistent that increased funding for a border wall be included.
Rice University Political Science Prof. Paul Brace says, if the president does bring up the border wall tonight, it would put Congressional Republicans on the hot seat.
"They would like to see some more broad-based, popular policy positions from the president."
He says the danger of bringing up the border wall during the State of the Union is that it would not broaden the Republican base.
"But, the reality of President Trump is that he has not shown any signs that he's interested in building out his base. He's happy with the base that he has."