Alan Gross to Attend State of Union Address

An American contractor who was recently released after spending five years in a Cuban prison will be sitting alongside first lady Michelle Obama at Tuesday's State of the Union address.

Alan Gross was released last month as part of a larger deal by President Barack Obama to normalize relations with Cuba. At the time of his release, Gross was serving a 15-year sentence for allegedly attempting to undermine the Havana government for the United States.

"While in Cuba, Alan wrote the president letters and since returning has expressed his support for the actions the presidents taken with respect to Cuba, read a press release from the White House.

Gross and his wife will be part of 22 guests invited to sit in the first lady's box, which is reserved for Americans who the White House believes best illustrate their policies at work.