Rep. Gimenez Moves to Oust Ramirez After ‘Guatemalan Before American’ Comment [WATCH]

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., introduced a resolution on Friday to remove Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., from the House Homeland Security Committee after her controversial statement during a visit to Mexico in which she declared, “I am a proud Guatemalan before I am an American.”

Delia Ramirez (D-IL): “I would like to say a few words in spanish because I am a proud Guatemalan first and foremost before being an American.”

She is a member of “The Squad” and a child of illegal aliens from Guatemala.

SHOULD @DeliaRamirezIL
BE REMOVED FROM CONGRESS?

… pic.twitter.com/oSq74WQNt0

— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) August 4, 2025

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As Fox News reported, Ramirez made the remarks in Spanish earlier this week during an event in Mexico City.

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The comments sparked criticism from lawmakers and commentators who say her statement undermines her role on a committee tasked with protecting the United States.

Gimenez, the only Cuban-born member of Congress, said her statement amounted to a violation of her oath of office and disqualified her from serving on a panel dedicated to national security.

“I was born in Cuba and exiled from my homeland shortly after the communist takeover,” Gimenez told Fox News Digital before filing the resolution during the House’s pro forma session.

“Everything I am, I owe to this exceptional country of limitless opportunities that paved the way for a Cuban refugee like me to become a firefighter, fire chief, city manager, county commissioner, county mayor, and yes, even a member of Congress. Only in America.”

Gimenez currently serves on the House Homeland Security Committee and chairs its maritime and transportation subcommittee.

“When a Member of Congress openly declares allegiance to a foreign nation over our own, it is not only unacceptable, it is disqualifying for service on a committee tasked with securing our homeland,” he said.

BREAKING: Democrat Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, who said she is loyal to Guatemala, is now facing *REMOVAL* from the House Homeland Security Committee.

Florida Congressman Carlos Gimenez has filed to kick her off.

Do it.

“She said it herself. She’s loyal to Guatemala — not… pic.twitter.com/x3YpaomRCA

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 8, 2025

Ramirez, a member of the far-left “Squad,” has faced criticism from conservative figures following the remarks.

Actor James Woods responded to her statement on X, writing, “Well, okay then, Hasta La Vista.”

Well, okay then. Hasta la vista… https://t.co/35e4sTS00S

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 5, 2025

Commentator Matt Walsh suggested Ramirez “should be arrested.”

She should be arrested, denaturalized, and deported. It shouldn’t even be controversial to say this. It’s obviously what should happen in cases like this. https://t.co/4sNhK1llb4

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) August 5, 2025

In response, Ramirez’s office issued a statement defending her comments. It accused “Republican commentators” and the Department of Homeland Security’s social media team of attacking her for “showing pride in her multi-cultural, multi-ethnic heritage.”

Ramirez, who was born in the U.S., claimed the criticism was “a weak attempt to silence my dissent and invalidate my patriotic criticism of the nativist, White supremacist, authoritarians in government.”

She continued, “It is the definition of hypocrisy that members of Congress, who betray their oath each day they enable Trump, are attacking me for celebrating my Guatemalan-American roots.”

Ramirez added that “no one questions” her colleagues who celebrate their Irish or other European ancestry. “I am the daughter of immigrants and the daughter of America. I am both Chapina and American. I am from both Guatemala and Chicago, Illinois.”

It’s funny seeing people rush to her defense saying this was mistranslated (It’s not).

Do know who isn’t making that claim? Delia Ramirez. Nowhere in her statement does she claim the quote is mistranslated. It would be an easy slam dunk for her if that was the case. https://t.co/wPmOEFAKQw pic.twitter.com/z2KFYNV8B5

— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) August 6, 2025

Gimenez has not indicated whether the resolution will be brought to a full vote, but the move underscores growing concerns among lawmakers about expressions of allegiance to foreign nations by sitting members of Congress.

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