Sunayana Dumala of Olathe becomes symbol of hope for immigrants at State of the Union
Sunayana Dumala of Olathe became a symbol of hope and positivity for fellow immigrants and immigration advocates while attending President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Minutes before Trump’s speech began, the widow of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed nearly a year ago in a suspected hate crime at Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, was recognized by Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on Twitter.
“Despite the darkness and hatred that took her husband’s life, Sunayana continues to be a shining light for immigrants by sharing her powerful story w/ love, positivity, & Aloha,” Gabbard wrote. “I’m looking forward to continuing to support her, & elevate her voice as we work toward long overdue immigration reform.”
Gabbard posted a photo standing next to Dumala and Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder, an Overland Park Republican. Yoder has become an advocate for high-skilled immigrants like Dumala, who faced an uncertain future in the U.S. after she lost her husband.
I asked Sunayana to be my guest as a recognition for her tireless efforts to promote peace, and as a message to the Indian community that the United States is a nation of immigrants and they are welcome here.
— Rep. Kevin Yoder (@RepKevinYoder) January 27, 2018
Recently, Dumala told The Star that she feels the U.S. immigration system discriminates against those of Indian decent. She may have to wait years, perhaps even decades, before she is granted full U.S. citizenship.
But Tuesday night was a positive one for Dumala. She attended the State of the Union as Yoder’s guest and enjoyed Trump’s remarks on acceptance and his addressing a “broken immigration system,” according to Ruth Bigus, Dumala’s friend.
And hundreds responded to Gabbard’s tweets about Dumala, with many showing praise of Dumala’s strength and outspokenness following her husband’s killing, and others calling for changes to immigration law.
One person wrote, “Sunayana, you are an inspiration.”
Another thanked Dumala for “representing all ... immigrants.”
Despite the darkness and hatred that took her husband’s life, Sunayana continues to be a shining light for immigrants by sharing her powerful story w/ love, positivity, & Aloha. pic.twitter.com/xZtx421i9p
— Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiPress) January 31, 2018
I’m looking forward to continuing to support her, & elevate her voice as we work toward long overdue immigration reform. More info: https://t.co/FquvAuCq3Q
— Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiPress) January 31, 2018
We stand behind you Sunanya, thank you @RepKevinYoder and @TulsiPress for your Leadership and shining a light on the plight of hundreds of thousands of Highly Skilled immigrants
— Xlesus (@memes_cnn) January 31, 2018
Thank you Congresswoman @TulsiGabbard for making Immigration Reform a priority. Sunayana, you are an inspiration. #HR392 #SOTU #Braveheart
— For Immigration Reform (@immigReform) January 31, 2018
We thank you for your continued leadership on #HR392 @TulsiPress and @RepKevinYoder. Much gratitude and thanks to Sunayana for representing all the immigrants. #SOTU
— Remakanth Narayanan (@RemakanthN) January 31, 2018
Thank you @RepKevinYoder @TulsiPress for continuing support for #HR392!
— FbDev (@fbdev5) January 31, 2018
Thanks for Sunayana for spreading light of happiness and sharing her stories! :)
Thank you Sunayana, @TulsiPress @RepKevinYoder for showing resilience, standing up for hope and courage. Your leadership will help us do what is right and get fair treatment ,for millions of suffering, via #HR392.
— chethanjs (@chotijs) January 31, 2018
@TulsiGabbard @RepKevinYoder ... Sunayana is personification of courage and strength ... The compassion and empathy you are showing @TulsiPress @RepKevinYoder are text book examples of true American Spirit and what this great country is all about ... #hr392
— Venki (@venki_recw) January 31, 2018
. @SpeakerRyan said he knows Sunayana’s story. Says he remembers her. @KevinYoder explained the bill and Sunayana’s situation and about need for #HR392 pic.twitter.com/8Ez2Pigrga
— Christa Dubill (@christadubill) January 30, 2018
Sunayana Dumala admits politics were not her world, it meant a lot to her husband, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, but now, a year after his murder she is in the political sphere advocating for immigration reform. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/STTmJLIMnd
— Aubrey Morse (@aubstheword) January 30, 2018
Yoder is sponsoring a bill — H.R. 392 — in the U.S. House that would give immigrants like Dumala more freedoms. The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act has earned bipartisan support.
Dumala recently helped launch Forever Welcome, a social media initiative aiming to spread messages of unity, love and acceptance. She is also planning a peace walk in Olathe in March.
Trump did not mention Dumala during his speech, which struck a rare bipartisan tone but angered some for its remarks, or lack thereof, on immigration, human rights and the #MeToo movement.
Max Londberg: 816-234-4378, @MaxLondberg
This story was originally published January 30, 2018 at 11:23 PM with the headline "Sunayana Dumala of Olathe becomes symbol of hope for immigrants at State of the Union."