Colorado Candidate Urges More Immigrants in Office to Counter U.S. 'Exploitative Nature'

Melat Kiros, a Democratic congressional candidate in Colorado endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has called for an increase in immigrants holding public office to address what she describes as the United States' "exploitative and extractive" global role.

Speaking at the Wa’Ela Tigrai event in Denver last weekend, Kiros, who recently defeated incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in a primary election, stated that individuals with heritage in the global south possess a fundamental understanding of American exploitation. She suggested that their presence in office is crucial for challenging the existing global world order.

"The responsibility that we have as Americans, the recognition that is going to be required of us, of the exploitative and extractive nature that we play on the global scale and the global stage is only going to be challenged if we are getting represented by people who understand that on a fundamental level," Kiros said. "And that means getting more immigrants into office. That means getting more people who have heritage in the global south into office because that's where those decisions are made specifically."

Kiros drew parallels to the experiences of progressive "Squad" members in the House of Representatives, emphasizing the importance of collective advancement and a shift in global dynamics. She framed her congressional campaign as part of a broader effort to foster such change.

During the event, Kiros also expressed anti-capitalist sentiments, referencing her past as an attorney. "When I was in law school, I tell everybody that was where I learned that the system is not broken, that it's actually working exactly as it was designed to," she stated. "And that really kind of broke my spirit a little bit."

She added that her approach, regardless of electoral outcomes, is to remain resilient in her activism. "Regardless of what ends up happening, regardless of what happens with my own candidacy and this general and then what this potential, you know, office could look like with me in it… I would rather go down fighting than to give up."

Kiros was previously employed at the law firm Sidley Austin before her termination in 2023. This action followed her publication of an open letter criticizing law firms, including her own, for their responses to antisemitism on college campuses.