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Washington
In a video posted on X, Pramila Jayapal, an Indian-American Congresswoman, called for immigration reform and pledged to fight for the American Dreams of immigrants. She shared her journey from India to the US, and how it took her 17 years to become a US citizen.
She is the first South Asian-American woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, recounted her own journey from India to the US at the age of 16, and how it took 17 years for her to become a US citizen.
Pramila Jayapal is also known for fighting for racial justice and equality in every corner of the US.
“As an immigrant I have been fortunate enough to live the American Dream. But it wasn’t easy to get to the point that I am at, talking to you today as a US Representative here. For 17 years I navigated a complex immigration system and an alphabet soup of visas before I finally was able to become a US citizen,” said Jayapal.
“Today that process is even more difficult, sometimes impossible for too many people. And I knew that I wanted to work to fight alongside other immigrants and to deliver the American Dream for others. Between my time on the outside and now inside Congress as the ranking member of the Immigration Subcommittee, I have fought to give back to immigrant communities and ensure that their rights are always protected,” she added.
As the ranking member of the Immigration Subcommittee, Jayapal has been a staunch advocate for immigrant rights, promoting policies to improve Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) health, protect civil liberties, and create a humane immigration system.
“I am always going to work to help all those who want to achieve the American dream, the possibility of doing that, just like I had,” said Jayapal.
