Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) encountered significant criticism during a recent town hall in the Bronx, with constituents voicing concerns over her focus on immigration policies and perceived neglect of local issues.
Attendees expressed frustration over rising crime rates and the impact of illegal immigration on their communities. One resident confronted Ocasio-Cortez, stating, “All you care about is illegal aliens and their votes,” highlighting a sentiment that the congresswoman prioritizes national progressive agendas over district-specific concerns.
Another constituent, Guadelupe Alvarez, shared her experience of being dismissed when questioning Ocasio-Cortez about crime in Jackson Heights. Alvarez claimed the congresswoman left the event instead of addressing the issue, saying, “She said she’d be right back and never came back.”
The tension escalated when Ocasio-Cortez addressed previous threats from former Trump administration border czar Tom Homan, who suggested referring her to the Department of Justice for allegedly impeding deportations. Ocasio-Cortez responded defiantly, “Come for me. Do I look like I care?” asserting her actions were within her constitutional rights.
Critics argue that Ocasio-Cortez’s national advocacy efforts, including her “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” with Sen. Bernie Sanders, have come at the expense of addressing pressing issues within her district. Residents point to limited office hours, lack of response to local crises, and insufficient attention to infrastructure and public safety as indicators of her disconnect from constituent needs.
The congresswoman’s stance on immigration and national policies continues to polarize opinions within her district, with some constituents feeling their concerns are overshadowed by broader political agendas.
