Pramila Jayapal Faces Backlash for Saying Illegal Immigrants ‘Pick’ Crops Americans Eat

Last Updated on 4 weeks by abdirahman dahir

On Tuesday, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) spoke in support of undocumented immigrants staying in the U.S., arguing that they play a crucial role in various industries, including agriculture. However, her remarks quickly sparked backlash on social media, with some accusing her of making statements with “racist” undertones.

Pramila Jayapal comments came during a Congressional Progressive Caucus rally held outside the U.S. Capitol. At the event, Democratic lawmakers took aim at former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, accusing them of targeting immigrants while claiming to fight government waste, fraud, and abuse.

We will not allow Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk to scapegoat and attack immigrants,” Jayapal stated. “Let me be clear: they continue pushing this narrative to distract from the fact that they are taking your taxpayer dollars. Their goal is to shift the blame onto immigrants and paint them as criminals. Instead, we should be holding greedy billionaires accountable and ensuring they contribute their fair share.”

We cannot stand by while they attempt to deport millions of hardworking families who keep our economy running daily,” Pramila Jayapal continued.

“We must not allow them to vilify and criminalize immigrants. Immigrants are part of our communities, and they deserve respect and dignity. When you sit down for a meal, consider who harvested the food. When you look at your home, remember who built it. And when you think of your children and elderly loved ones, acknowledge those who care for them.”

Pramila Jayapal, who represents Washington’s 8th Congressional District, including Seattle, spoke out against the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies, calling for comprehensive immigration reform. However, she made no distinction between undocumented immigrants and those in the country legally.

Washington state has one of the five largest populations of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. According to Border Czar Tom Homan, Seattle, a designated sanctuary city, is among the locations targeted for ICE deportation operations. Recent ICE arrests in the region have included individuals charged or convicted of serious offenses, including child sex abuse, drug manufacturing, and assault with deadly weapons.