Rep Delia Ramirez’s viral ‘Guatemalan before American’ remark sparks outrage: ‘She should be deported’
WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Representative Delia Ramirez of Illinois is under fire after a viral video showed her declaring, “I’m a proud Guatemalan before I’m an American.”
The comment, made in Spanish at the Panamerican Congress in Mexico City over the weekend, sparked backlash from conservative figures, who questioned her loyalty to the United States.
Ramirez, who represents a Chicago-area district, has defended her remarks, even as critics call for her removal from Congress.
Furious backlash after Delia Ramirez puts Guatemalan pride before American identity
At the second annual Panamerican Congress, Rep Delia Ramirez told the audience, “I’m a proud Guatemalan before I’m an American,” drawing immediate backlash.
GOP Sen Mike Lee of Utah asked on X, “Are you comfortable with this?” while Rep Claudia Tenney wrote, “Imagine saying that while serving in the US Congress."
Rep. Delia Ramirez says she’s a proud Guatemalan before she’s an American.
— Rep. Claudia Tenney (@RepTenney) August 5, 2025
Imagine saying that while serving in the U.S. Congress.
The Democrat Party no longer even pretends to put America first. Embarrassing. https://t.co/wSC6OEDQie
Actor James Woods simply responded, “Hasta la vista…”
Well, okay then. Hasta la vista… https://t.co/35e4sTS00S
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 5, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security also appeared to weigh in, posting a Theodore Roosevelt quote: “There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism... Our allegiance must be purely to the United States.”
“There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism...Americanism is a matter of the spirit and of the soul. Our allegiance must be purely to the United States. We must unsparingly condemn any man who holds any other allegiance.”
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 4, 2025
- Theodore Roosevelt https://t.co/Jki0zCAiHG
The comment drew swift criticism from right-wing commentators. Charlie Kirk stated, “Any person who values any other country over America does not belong in Congress.”
Three Spanish speakers have confirmed to me that Rep. Delia Ramirez says in this clip that she puts her Guatemalan pride ahead of her identity as an American.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 5, 2025
Any person who values any other country over America does not belong in Congress. Period. pic.twitter.com/89eHMrsi7G
Matt Walsh wrote, “She should be arrested, denaturalized, and deported.”
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
Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy added, “If your primary allegiance is to a different nation, then you shouldn’t be allowed to make laws that bind Americans.”
Shocking to hear a member of Congress openly state her loyalty to another country. If your primary allegiance is to a different nation, then you shouldn’t be allowed to make laws that bind Americans. That’s not controversial, it’s obvious. https://t.co/Fykw4tFVpN
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) August 5, 2025
Delia Ramirez defends remarks, calls ancestry part of her American story
In a statement through her office, Delia Ramirez responded to the backlash, stating, “Honoring my Guatemalan ancestry only strengthens my commitment to America. That is the truth I carry with me always.”
She added, “Anyone who denies our claim on this country simply because we dare to honor our diverse heritage and immigrant roots only exposes how fragile and small-minded their own idea of America really is.”
Ramirez sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security and is in what she describes as a “mixed-status marriage.” Her husband, Boris, is undocumented, and she has described herself as a fighter for “the rights of dreamers like my husband.”
On her website, she also criticized US foreign policy, saying the country prioritizes “imperialism, militarization, conquest, control, competition in its attempt at domination."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
