Arizona Democrat Rep. Yassamin Ansari said illegal immigrants are her “constituents” during a Saturday visit to an ICE detention center in Eloy, citing complaints from detainees about poor conditions.
“I spoke with more than two dozen women, one woman in particular, she has leukemia, she has been there for five months. She has lost 55 pounds, and she has still not been able to see a specialist,” the Democrat claimed.
She went on to rant about the “dehumanizing, racist, unacceptable treatment,” and claimed, “It’s a stain on the humanity of this country.”
During her comments to the press, she also claimed that illegal aliens are her “constituents,” and added: “The reason I came back today was because I have many constituents who are trapped inside Eloy, who we have been communicating with.”
Ansari’s remark that illegal immigrants are “constituents” sparked backlash online, but she doubled down, saying lawmakers must serve them too. Responding to Libs of TikTok, she wrote, “Yes, I help all constituents. That’s called doing my job.”
“Constituents include citizens, green card holders, DACA recipients, asylum seekers, refugees — and yes, people in ICE detention in Arizona,” she added. “Members of Congress shouldn’t pick and choose who matters or who deserves help.”
Rep Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) says she has “many constituents” who are in ICE detention facilities
Why do you have “constituents” who are in our country illegally @RepYassAnsari??
Does @RepYassAnsari care this much about her actual constituents who are American citizens? pic.twitter.com/ZPdvLKd9K8
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 31, 2025
Yes, I help all constituents. That’s called doing my job.
Constituents include citizens, green card holders, DACA recipients, asylum seekers, refugees—and yes, people in ICE detention in Arizona.
Members of Congress shouldn’t pick and choose who matters or who deserves help. https://t.co/Q8EAPHq6On
— Yassamin Ansari (@yassaminansari) September 1, 2025
