South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley delivered the Republican response to the State of the Union. She is the daughter of Indian immigrants.

"No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country," she said. "That also means welcoming properly vetted legal immigrants, regardless of their race or religion. Just as we have for centuries."

She didn't name names, but her speech offered a sharp contrast to Donald Trump's own immigration rhetoric.

President Obama also appeared to invoke Trump in his address.

"When politicians insult Muslims, whether abroad or our fellow citizens, when a mosque is vandalized, or a kid is called names, that doesn’t make us safer," he said.

Unsurprisingly, Trump was not a fan of the speech.

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Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez