Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez joined Rio Hondo students for lunch today to discuss legislative updates and to address concerns from the students. These concerns included the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), affordable college, the Affordable Care Act.

Once open for discussion the topic of DACA came up immediately. DACA provides immigrant child that grew up in this country higher education. Congresswoman Sanchez explained to the students that DACA has an expiration date and if President Trump does not act on the bill it will be eliminated.

She then stated what students can do to fight the elimination by applying pressure for those in the house and senate to support the bill. However, Congresswoman Sanchez reminded students that even with the support, the bill will still fall in the hands of President Trump to either pass or veto the bill.

The issue of budget cuts with concern towards education was another concern of the students. Majority of students just within the room rely on federal aid for education as noted when asked how many do. Congresswoman Sanchez was unable to give a conclusion on how budget cuts will affect education, but she told students that the president will cut the budget in education, but it is Congress that decides how the money is allocated.

Congresswoman Sanchez advised students to reach out to their Congress members and share your stories to them. She explained by providing a name, a face, and story to this issue could encourage congress members to not cut our federal aid.

A concern that does not affect students college experience directly, but their homes and families, is the Affordable Care Act. Congresswoman Sanchez shared her experience of the current administration health care proposal. Sanchez explained that administration’s health care bill is not a health care bill but a tax bill for government to receive revenue from. Due to the circumstances of the bill and the ways it is being presented, has of now killed the bill.

The Brown Bag Lunch created a space for college students to meet with and discuss issues with congresswoman Linda Sanchez. From her background students realized her story was not too different from their own. Her parents were immigrants that came to this country to provide for a better life for her and her six other siblings. Among this, Sanchez faced many barriers and obstacles in her life that could of let her down but here she is today as the first Latina in the U.S. Congress.