Bay State delegation makes statement with speech invites

Members of the all-Democratic Massachusetts delegation used their special invitations to President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress as apparent protests of his policies.

U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey each announced they would bring refugees to the speech, both of whom would be barred from entering the country under Trump’s temporary travel ban on seven Mideast nations — struck down by the courts and now being redesigned.

Tiba Faraj of Boston, an Iraqi refugee, was Warren’s guest. Her family fled Iraq in 2006 after her father was shot in the leg, leaving him permanently disabled, Warren’s office said. The Faraj family moved to Lynn in 2010, and currently resides in Boston.

Markey’s office announced he would bring Somali refugee Said Ahmed, a four-time All-American track and field star and Boston Public Schools teacher. Ahmed started a nonprofit group called United Somali Youth, which is aimed at helping other young refugees adjust to living in the U.S.

“I’m grateful to Senator Markey for his invitation to be a part of this evening,” Ahmed said in a statement. “As a refugee from a wartorn country, I came to the United States with hope … I pray that the doors remain open to others like us.”

U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III is bringing one of his interns, Jen Fox, 19, of Hopkinton, a two-time cancer survivor who credits Obamacare with saving her life. Trump has vowed to repeal and replace the health care law.