Rep. Tim Ryan is leaving his State of the Union guest seat empty in protest of President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
The Ohio Democrat made his announcement Tuesday afternoon on Twitter afternoon, saying people like Amer Othman Adi, a Palestinian man who was deported after living in the U.S. for 39 years, were being "heartlessly targeted by the Trump administration."
"We should pursue violent criminals, not those working for a better life," he added.
Othman Adi was deported despite a request from the House Judiciary Committee that his case be reviewed, which would have allowed him to remain in the U.S. temporarily.
"In a highly irregular rebuke of Congressional authority by ICE, Amer Othman was ripped from his four daughters, his wife, and the country that he has called home for over thirty years," Ryan said when it happened.
"Amer was a pillar of the community and brought commerce to a downtown that craved investment."
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.