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A Republican lawmaker has asked a Latino official if they were a U.S. citizen at a public meeting.
Rep. Mike Lawler (NY) appeared to doubt the citizenship status of a New York county official during a public meeting on Tuesday while discussing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Newsweek has contacted both officials for comment via email outside of office hours.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump made strict immigration measures a core component of his return to the White House. Along with carrying out mass deportations, his second administration has vowed to prosecute anyone who impedes their immigration enforcement operations.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty
What To Know
Lawler’s remark followed a question from José Alvarado, vice chair of Westchester County’s Board of Legislators, who asked the congressman what documentation individuals should be expected to provide if stopped by ICE.
“I’m speaking to you, Mr. Lawler—somebody that looks like me, right, is approached by ICE. What would your immediate expectation would be for me to do? What should I carry on me to demonstrate that this immigrant is the vice chairman of this board?” Alvarado said.
Lawler responded that he should cooperate in such a situation before implying that Alvarado might not be a U.S. citizen.
Here’s that Lawler video, from the Westchester County Board of Legislators feed – the Republican Congressman publicly questions Legislator Jose Alvarado’s citizenship. You can hear the gasps in the room. Pretty ugly, folks. A very bad time in America. 😞 pic.twitter.com/I1klwBMY6b
— Tom Watson (@tomwatson) February 19, 2025
“Well, like every other person that is engaged by law enforcement, if you are asked for information, cooperate. I wouldn’t expect you as a—I don’t know. I assume you’re a citizen. Maybe you’re not. Maybe you are,” Lawler said at a board meeting.
Laughter could be heard after the comment, while one person could be heard describing Lawler’s remarks as “unbelievable,” to which Lawler responded, “Well, you’re telling me about ICE approaching you.”
Alvarado responded by affirming his U.S. citizenship, noting that he would be ineligible to serve on the board if he were not.
“I didn’t realize that you didn’t know that in order to be elected, you have to be a citizen,” Alvarado said. “In order to vote, you have to be a citizen.”
“Back to your previous comment. Yes, I understand, obviously, to vote you have to be a citizen. Yes, I understand to hold office you have to be a citizen. Your question was specific to what papers you should show as an immigrant. My point to you was, like everyone else who is a citizen, if you are encountered by law enforcement and they ask you for documentation, you provide it. That’s it,” Lawler said.
The Trump administration is expected to push for a stricter immigration crackdown in New York. Earlier this month, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Justice Department had filed a lawsuit against New York and several of its leaders over the state’s immigration policies.
Lawler has served as the representative for New York’s 17th Congressional District since 2023. He secured re-election last year, defeating Democratic challenger Mondaire Jones by over six percentage points.
The New York Republican has previously faced scrutiny after a photo emerged of him dressed in blackface, in a Michael Jackson costume, nearly 20 years ago.
What People Are Saying
Lawler’s spokesperson Nate Soule said in a statement: “Congressman Lawler was simply making the point that people in this country, legally and obeying the law, have nothing to fear from ICE.
“The reality is that Democrats can’t win this argument on the merits, so all they have left is character assassination and lies. The Democrats’ defense of sanctuary city, county, and state policies was roundly rejected in the last election—including by the Hispanic community, who overwhelmingly moved toward Republicans.”
Rep. Nydia Velazquez said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “Unbelievable. Questioning a Latino lawmaker’s citizenship? That’s not just ignorance—it’s straight-up xenophobia. Rep. Lawler must apologize.”
What Happens Next?
Lawler’s comments have sparked backlash from Democratic leaders and immigrant rights advocates, who argue that his remarks reflect broader Republican efforts to target immigrant communities. Some lawmakers and activists have called for an apology, while others have used the incident to highlight concerns about racial profiling and the treatment of members of the Latino community.
