Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., defended her use of the word "constituents" to describe undocumented residents in her district on Thursday, saying she represents anyone who lives in the community and that she does not "give a sh—" whether those people can vote for her.
At a press conference on Capitol Hill, Ansari said she was responding to criticism from conservative outlets after she used the term while criticizing the Trump administration's immigration policies and what she described as mass deportation efforts. "So, I didn’t realize this was such a controversy until the right-wing media started attacking me for using the word, so I Googled the word constituent," she said. "The definition of constituent is somebody who is part of a community, doesn’t matter what their legal status is. If somebody is an asylum seeker, if somebody has a green card, if somebody is a U.S. citizen, if somebody lives in the community, I represent them. Constituent does not mean voter. I don’t care if none of these individuals can vote for me. I don’t give a sh—. I care about making sure that the United States government with our taxpayer dollars, is treating people with dignity and respect." A Daily Caller News Foundation reporter asked the question that prompted her response.
Ansari's remarks quickly drew criticism on social media and from conservative commentators, who argued elected officials should not defend people in the country illegally. Supporters said her comments reflected a broader view of representation that includes residents regardless of immigration status.
Ansari, who represents a district in Arizona, positioned her comments as part of a broader critique of federal immigration policy under former President Donald Trump. She emphasized that her focus is on how taxpayer dollars are used and on ensuring humane treatment for people seeking asylum or living in the community without legal status.
The exchange underscores ongoing tensions in Washington over immigration policy and the language lawmakers use when discussing noncitizens who live in their districts. Lawmakers and advocates on both sides of the issue have frequently debated whether terms such as "constituent" imply political rights like voting or are meant to describe people who are affected by public policy.
Ansari's remarks came as immigration remains a central topic in national politics, with competing proposals in Congress and heated rhetoric from partisan media outlets. The dispute highlights how a single word can become a flashpoint in debates over representation, governance and the treatment of migrants.
