Dem Rep Doubles Down on Calling Illegal Immigrants Her ‘Constituents’

Democratic Arizona Rep. Yassamin Ansari defended calling illegal immigrants in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody her “constituents” on Thursday, telling the Daily Caller News Foundation she does not “give a shit” if individuals living in her district lack legal status.

Ansari, a left-wing freshman lawmaker who has been at the tip of the spear of House Democrats’ efforts to defend reputed MS-13 gangbanger Kilmar Abrego Garcia, went to the mat for illegal immigrants in ICE custody during a press conference on Thursday. The Arizona Democrat told the DCNF that she represents everyone in her Phoenix, Arizona-based district, including those living in the country illegally.

“I didn’t realize this was such a controversy until the right-wing media started attacking me for using the word,” Ansari told reporters in response to a question from the DCNF. “The definition of constituent is somebody who is part of a community. It doesn’t matter what their legal status is — if somebody is an asylum seeker, if somebody has a heart, if somebody is a U.S. citizen, if somebody lives in the community, I represent them.”

“Constituent does not mean voter,” Ansari continued. “I don’t care if these, if none of these individuals can vote for me. I don’t give a shit.”

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