GOP Lawmaker Calls On Capitol Police, Sessions To Arrest Dreamers Attending State Of The Union

Republican Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) has asked the U.S. Capitol Police and the Department of Attorney General Jeff Sessions to “consider checking identification” of everyone attending President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address and “arresting any illegal aliens in attendance,” he announced on Twitter Tuesday.

At least 27 lawmakers have invited young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children and are protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that ends March 5 after Trump rescinded it, as their guests to the State of the Union.

DACA legally protects 700,000 qualifying “Dreamers” from arrest and deportation under the program started under President Barack Obama in 2013.

Today, Congressman Paul Gosar contacted the U.S. Capitol Police, as well as Attorney General Jeff Sessions, asking they consider checking identification of all attending the State of the Union address and arresting any illegal aliens in attendance.

— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 30, 2018

Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) is so far the only GOP lawmaker bringing a DACA recipient as his State of the Union guest.

Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Fla.) blasted Gosar for his actions on Tuesday.

“Oh my goodness, RepGosar. Dreamers don’t pose a threat to us. This is so drastic and cruel. Dios mío,” Ros Lehtinen tweeted.

Oh my goodness, RepGosar. Dreamers don’t pose a threat to us. This is so drastic and cruel. Dios mío. https://t.co/PLKgvryhHW

— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) January 30, 2018