Republicans and Democrats hold State of the Union watch parties

While across the nation millions watched the State of the Union address some locals gathered to watch as well.

Many borderland residents were interested in watching President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address.

Republicans and Democrats told ABC-7 what they where looking for in the speech and both touched on immigration policy.

On El Paso’s east side, County Commissioner Carlos Leon and State Rep. Mary Gonzalez, both Democrats, held their watch party.

“This president has had a lot of interesting conversations and a lot of people are interested in what he’s going to say and what the plan is for the future. A lot of people are worried about what the future of this country looks like,” Gonzalez said.

On the west side, El Paso’s Republican Party headquarters was standing room only.

“I was glad to hear about tax reform. I was glad to hear about the individuals and their personal taxes are getting reduced,” said Adolpho Telles, chairman of the local Republican Party.

Telles said he was also glad to hear unemployment is currently the lowest it’s ever been among Hispanics.

But one topic that many along the border had their sights on was the immigration reform package.

The president touts a path to citizenship for 1.8 million illegal immigrants who were brought by their parents illegally at a young age but he still wants to build a great wall on the southern border.

Leon said it’s not needed.

“I fully support the families that have been here for years and years adding to our economy … but as far as the wall, that is a big divisive effort here in El Paso,” Leon said.

Telles said the immigration package must be considered as a whole.

“Dreamers relates to immigration. Immigration relates to border security and national security so I think all of it needs to be addressed in one swoop. If we try to piece it together nothing will happen,” Telles said.

Both parties said the president can say what he’d like but it’s up to Congress working together to make the country move forward.