Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Leads More than 110 Colleagues in Condemning House Republican Conference Leadership for Xenophobic Attack on Congressman Adriano Espaillat
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) led more than 110 of her colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning House Republican Conference leadership for allowing the spread of false and xenophobic rhetoric targeting Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, following his Spanish-language response last week to President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress. Joining Congresswoman Garcia in leading this resolution are Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Rob Menendez (D-NJ-08), Norma Torres (D-CA-35), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Gilbert Cisneros Jr. (D-CA-31), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24).
On March 5, 2025, the official X page for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) falsely referred to Congressman Espaillat as an “illegal immigrant,” questioning Espaillat’s immigration status and patriotism—despite his lawful citizenship, election to Congress, and years of dedicated service to the American people.
“This outright xenophobic and reprehensible attack is not just an insult to Congressman Espaillat, but to every immigrant who has followed the law, earned their citizenship, and dedicated themselves to serving this country,” said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. “This demeaning anti-immigrant rhetoric has no place in the halls of Congress, and those in Republican leadership who have stood back and allowed this disgraceful statement to stand need to be held accountable.”
“It is disgraceful that House Republican leadership allows false and xenophobic attacks against Congressman Espaillat to go unchecked,” said Congressman Darren Soto. “He is a U.S. citizen who has dedicated years of service to the American people, and questioning the legitimacy of a duly elected member of Congress based on lies is dangerous and unacceptable. With this resolution, we make clear: xenophobia has no place in our democracy.”
“The Trump Administration and Republicans have gone to great lengths to vilify, harass, and lie about hard-working immigrants since they took power,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “I’m proud to stand alongside my friend and colleague Congressman Espaillat as he leads the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and will continue to partner with him to uplift the voices of immigrants, whose stories are rooted in dignity and respect for our friends and neighbors.”
“Attacking Congressman Adriano Espaillat with false and xenophobic rhetoric is unacceptable. Congressman Espaillat has dedicated his life to serving this country and the American people. We will not stand by and allow hatred and division to flourish in our political discourse,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This behavior has no place in Congress or our society. We must stand united against these attacks and uphold the values of respect and inclusivity.”
“Republicans have sunk to the lowest level, using blatant racism meant to dehumanize all immigrants, no matter their status. My colleague, CHC Chair Adriano Espaillat is a proud U.S. citizen and strong advocate for the immigrant and Latino community,” said Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García. “It’s disgusting to see Republicans fueled by such hate, particularly toward Latino and Black immigrants.”
“Congressman Espaillat has dedicated his life serving the people of New York,” said Congresswoman Linda Sánchez. “Republicans know you must be a citizen to be elected to Congress. Calling one of their own colleagues an ‘illegal immigrant’ shows they don’t care about ‘decorum’ and that even if you work hard, follow the law, and devote your life to public service, they’ll still try to dehumanize you with hateful rhetoric. Deleting the post isn’t enough – Republican leadership must apologize.”
"Congressman Espaillat is a good friend and a proud American citizen who serves his community in New York, and Hispanic and Latino Americans nationwide, tirelessly,” said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. “He is a true example of a public servant. The NRCC’s inability to take fault and apologize isn’t surprising. Unfortunately, their vile racism is their usual behavior.”
“This is an insult to the millions of immigrants who have followed the law and earned their citizenship,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng. “Congressman Espaillat has dedicated his life to serving the American people. This hateful, anti-immigrant rhetoric has no place in our country let alone the halls of Congress.”
Following mounting criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, the NRCC quietly deleted the tweet roughly 48 hours after the post went up without any public apology, making clear that the House Republican Conference leadership does not denounce the post itself and are only trying to contain the public fallout.
The resolution formally condemns House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, House Republican Chair Lisa McClain, Republican Policy Committee Chairman Kevin Hern, House Republican Conference Vice Chair Blake Moore, Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler, and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson for allowing the House Republican Conference’s political arm to make a false statement and call into question the citizenship of Congressman Espaillat.
This attack came just days after Republican leaders claimed they wanted to ensure decorum and elevate the discourse in Congress. Instead, they have chosen to sow division and question the very legitimacy of a sitting Member of Congress. It’s hypocrisy at its worst.
In addition to Congresswoman Garcia and her co-leads, the resolution has been cosponsored by Reps. Pete Aguilar (D-CA-33), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL-03), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY-26), Al Green (D-TX-09), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Becca Balint (D-VT-At-Large), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (D-GA-04), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At-Large), J. Luis Correa (D-CA-46), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), André Carson (D-IN-07), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Pablo José Hernández (D-PR-At-Large), Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), George Latimer (D-NY-16), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), John Larson (D-CT-01), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), Sam Liccardo (D-CA-16), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03), Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), and Mike Thompson (D-CA-04).
CLICK HERE for the resolution text.