AZ Dem Rep Doubles Down on Representing Illegal Aliens, ‘Had to “Google” ‘Constituent’ [WATCH]

Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona is facing criticism after declaring that illegal immigrants held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody are her “constituents.”

The freshman lawmaker made the remarks during a press conference Thursday and defended her position in comments to the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF).

Ansari, who represents a Phoenix-based district, said she considers all individuals living within her district to be her constituents regardless of immigration status.

“I didn’t realize this was such a controversy until the right-wing media started attacking me for using the word,” Ansari told reporters when asked about her comments.

“The definition of constituent is somebody who is part of a community. It doesn’t matter what their legal status is — if somebody is an asylum seeker, if somebody has a heart, if somebody is a U.S. citizen, if somebody lives in the community, I represent them.”

Ansari went further, stating that the ability to vote was not a factor in her definition.

“Constituent does not mean voter,” she continued.

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“I don’t care if these, if none of these individuals can vote for me. I don’t give a shit.”

🚨 “I don’t give a SH*T”: Rep. Ansari (D-AZ) says she wants taxpayer dollars to go to illegal immigrants (who she refers to as her *constituents*)@AndiNapier pic.twitter.com/Ox1TMYO2tn

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) September 4, 2025

Her remarks came as she has drawn attention for her advocacy on behalf of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvador national and reputed MS-13 member facing human trafficking charges in Tennessee. Ansari has joined several Democratic lawmakers in urging his release.

In April, she traveled with Democratic Reps. Robert Garcia of California, Maxine Dexter of Oregon, and Maxwell Frost of Florida to push for Abrego Garcia’s release from custody.

Republican lawmakers quickly pushed back on Ansari’s statements.

Rep. Pat Harrigan of North Carolina criticized her comments in a post on X Thursday afternoon.

“A Member of Congress who brags she had to ‘Google’ the word constituent has no business writing laws,” Harrigan wrote.

“Constituents are hardworking American citizens, the people who elect you. Not illegal aliens. Not asylum shoppers.”

Harrigan continued, saying Ansari’s own comments revealed her priorities.

“When you say ‘I don’t care if they can’t vote for me,’ you admit it. You don’t represent Americans, you represent everyone but them,” he said.

A Member of Congress who brags she had to “Google” the word constituent has no business writing laws.

Constituents are hardworking American citizens, the people who elect you. Not illegal aliens. Not asylum shoppers.

When you say “I don’t care if they can’t vote for me,” you… https://t.co/urgD5gznWo

— Congressman Pat Harrigan (@RepPatHarrigan) September 4, 2025

Ansari is not the only Democrat to refer to illegal immigrants as “constituents.”

In July, Rep. Sarah Elfreth of Maryland used the same term while participating in a sit-in at a Baltimore ICE facility.

My Maryland delegation colleagues and I were just denied access to an ICE facility in Baltimore — despite our clear legal right to conduct oversight. While our constituents are being snatched off the streets, we’re going to keep fighting for due process, transparency,… pic.twitter.com/4S43HauTzP

— Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (@RepSarahElfreth) July 28, 2025

The controversy surrounding Ansari’s remarks comes as polls show immigration remains a key issue for voters.

An August Wall Street Journal survey found that voters trust Republicans over Democrats to handle immigration by a 17-point margin.

Questions remain about the scope of Ansari’s definition of “constituent.”

The DCNF reported that her office did not respond to a request for clarification on whether the congresswoman also includes illegal immigrants with criminal records in her definition.

The debate adds to growing divisions in Congress over immigration policy, enforcement, and representation.

Ansari has continued to defend her remarks, while Republican lawmakers argue her comments highlight a broader disconnect between Democratic leaders and American voters.