Alan Gross, an American released after spending five years in a Cuban prison, is among first lady Michelle Obama’s guests at the State of the Union address Tuesday night.
The White House typically invites guests to sit in the first lady’s box as a way to highlight major components of the president’s speech to millions of Americans.
The end of Gross’ imprisonment served as the impetus for President Obama to normalize talks with Cuba, a decision Obama will defend in his address Tuesday night.
Republicans contend that Obama did not secure enough genuine Democrat reforms from the Cuban government as part of the deal. The Obama administration would also soon like to open a U.S. embassy in Havana, but conservatives are vowing to block funding for such a facility.
Alan Gross’ wife, Judy, will attend the State of the Union with her husband.
The rest of the first lady’s guest list is also shaping up.
She has also invited astronaut Scott Kelly, who will work aboard the International Space Station for a yearlong mission; Ana Zamora, a so-called Dreamer; Maryland Senate Majority Leader Catherine Pugh and a handful of letter writers to the president, the White House said.
