Press Releases

Rep. Don Beyer will attend Donald Trump’s Address to the Joint Session of Congress on the State of the Union this evening accompanied by guest Jessica Chilin-Hernández, a Northern Virginian originally born in El Salvador who holds Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The Trump Administration announced that it would end TPS protections for over 200,000 Salvadorans earlier this month.

“Jessica Chilin-Hernández is a smart young woman who has worked hard to become a thriving member of our community,” said Rep. Beyer. “Thousands like her face being torn from livelihoods, homes, and families because of Trump’s arbitrary decision to attack immigrants and ignore the very real situation in El Salvador. Like Dreamers, many TPS-holders grew up in this country and are inextricable contributors to our economy and our lives. They all deserve better from the President and Congress.”

El Salvador was one of the countries Donald Trump alluded to as a “shithole” during comments in a White House meeting on immigration earlier this month. Northern Virginia and the National Capital Region are home to a large and thriving Salvadoran community.

“I am honored to attend tonight's State of the Union Address as Virginia Congressman Don Beyer's guest,” said Jessica Chilin-Hernández. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be there as a TPS Holder. I hope that President Trump's State of the Union address will engender conversations across the country around a comprehensive immigration reform that affects all immigrants in addition to Dreamers and TPS Holders.”

A short biography of Chilin-Hernández is available here.