SLO County Immigrant Advocate Attends State of the Union

Yessenia Echevarria, executive director of Mujeres de Acción, attended the address to represent the local Latino community.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 11:54pm

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Yessenia Echevarria, the executive director of the nonprofit Mujeres de Acción in San Luis Obispo County, California, attended the 2026 State of the Union address as the guest of Congressman Jimmy Panetta. Echevarria, the daughter of Latino immigrants, said she attended the event to represent her community and stand in opposition to the Trump administration's "reckless mass deportation policy" that has impacted many local families.

Why it matters

Echevarria's attendance at the State of the Union address highlights the ongoing struggles of the Latino community in San Luis Obispo County under the Trump administration's immigration policies. As the head of a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the local Latino population, Echevarria has personally experienced the impact of these policies and wanted to use her presence at the address to give a voice to her community.

The details

Echevarria said she stayed seated during much of President Trump's speech to show her defiance, though she considered it "a moment of victory" to be in the room. Since Trump returned to office, Echevarria has mobilized thousands of new people to join Mujeres de Acción as deportations have surged on the Central Coast. The organization has handed out know-your-rights pamphlets and held forums where families can voice fears about ongoing deportation efforts.

  • President Trump delivered the State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
  • Echevarria attended the address as Congressman Panetta's guest.

The players

Yessenia Echevarria

The executive director of Mujeres de Acción, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the Latino population in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Jimmy Panetta

The U.S. Representative for California's 20th congressional district, who invited Echevarria to attend the State of the Union address.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who delivered the State of the Union address.

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What they’re saying

“There's this disconnect between reality and what is being messaged to the American people.”

— Yessenia Echevarria, Executive Director, Mujeres de Acción

“For the State of our Union to be truly strong, we must foster an environment where all law-abiding hard-working members of our community can prosper.”

— Jimmy Panetta, U.S. Representative

“This is a historical moment, and it holds value regardless of how you vote or how you feel about the current administration.”

— Yessenia Echevarria, Executive Director, Mujeres de Acción

The takeaway

Echevarria's attendance at the State of the Union address underscores the ongoing challenges facing the Latino community in San Luis Obispo County under the Trump administration's immigration policies. By representing her community and standing in opposition to the administration's rhetoric, Echevarria aimed to give a voice to those impacted by these policies and inspire others to remain engaged in the democratic process.