Democrat Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA) has declared that all illegal aliens who are living in her district are her constituents.
Torres made the claims during a Wednesday press conference at an event to promote her Fairness to Freedom Act.
The bill would require the government to use taxpayer funds to pay for the legal defense of any immigrant facing deportation who cannot afford counsel.
A reporter asked Torres whether she considers illegal aliens to be among her constituents.
“Everyone living in my district is my constituent, and I am there to serve and be a public servant for them,” Torres said.
She then argued that illegal aliens across the country should be considered constituents by the federal government if they are paying taxes.
“Everyone who pays taxes is a constituent of all members of Congress, including immigrants who have filed for a tax ID and are denied any benefits,” she added.
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The remarks come amid the recent controversy over Democrat Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s (D-MD) meeting with illegal alien MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego-Garcia.
The Salvadoran national was deported from Maryland to an El Salvador prison.
He was known by U.S. federal authorities as a gang member, human