Democrat Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) openly admitted on MSNBC that half of her family is in the United States illegally — a revelation coming just after she labeled Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a “terrorist organization.”
“For me, who is the daughter of immigrants who half my family is still undocumented…” Ramirez said during the interview.
The comments drew swift backlash from critics who accused the Illinois lawmaker of putting the interests of illegal aliens ahead of her constituents.
DISGUSTING. If there was any doubt that the Congresswoman from Illinois is fighting for illegal aliens over her ACTUAL constituents, here she is proudly claiming that her family is “undocumented.”
Sanctuary politicians should be thanking law enforcement for removing criminal… https://t.co/IumoAppbwH pic.twitter.com/mgPXNuWODx
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 13, 2025
Allegiance to Guatemala Over America
The MSNBC remarks come days after Ramirez attended the Panamerican Congress in Mexico City, where she told the audience — in Spanish — that she is “a proud Guatemalan before I’m an American.”
Video of the statement went viral, prompting calls from prominent commentators for Ramirez to be denaturalized and deported.
Democrat Rep. Delia Ramirez at a summit in Mexico City this weekend tells the audience while speaking in Spanish: “I’m a proud Guatemalan before I’m an American.” pic.twitter.com/ctJs5QhFLh
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) August 4, 2025
Pattern of Anti-ICE Rhetoric
Ramirez has a history of attacking U.S. immigration enforcement. Her recent ICE “terrorist organization” comment is consistent with her previous rhetoric, including backing sanctuary policies that protect criminal illegal aliens from deportation.
Critics say her admission that her own family includes illegal immigrants explains her push to weaken immigration enforcement.
Growing Public Outrage
Political figures, commentators, and everyday Americans on social media condemned her statements.
Megyn Kelly: “Awesome. Go home.”
Jesse Kelly: “Denaturalize and deport. I’m not even close to kidding.”
