'Totally disgraceful': Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed as neighborhood in her district hit by migrant influx and crime spike

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s congressional district is being compared by local residents to a 'third world' country
UPDATED MAR 18, 2024
NY Rep AOC draws flak as neighborhood in her district is hit by migrant influx (@aoc/Facebook, Screenshot/Fox News)
NY Rep AOC draws flak as neighborhood in her district is hit by migrant influx (@aoc/Facebook, Screenshot/Fox News)

QUEENS, NEWYORK: A Queens neighborhood in New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s congressional district is being compared by local residents to a “third world” country with people selling goods on the sidewalks and prostitutes openly soliciting, reported Daily Mail

According to footage that Fox News was able to secure, the incredibly lively and diverse towns of Corona, Jackson Heights, and Elmhurst in northwest Queens seem to have turned into an open flea market.

What did local residents say? 

Local resident Ramses Frías, a Democrat-turned-Republican who is running for the Assembly District 39 seat to clean up his community’s streets, filmed blocks and blocks of illegal vendors selling clothes, sneakers, toys and snacks.

Alexandria Ocasia Cartoz (aoc/Instagram)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (aoc/Instagram)

Frias, 43, said, "Like most of my like-minded residents, we see this as a third-world market."

He added, “Basically, you just see clothes thrown across the floor … the items are stolen from donation bins or stolen from stores, and they just set up shop outside brick-and-mortar businesses. They take away trade from these businesses and don’t pay taxes.”

"There are no repercussions; they get a free pass,” added Frías. 

"They do whatever they please, they are open about it and not discreet,” Frías told Fox News.

“They line up all along 90th street in front of a pizzeria, a 99-cent store and just try to pull men. You’ll see multiple women in scantily clad clothing. Now it’s cold, they are a bit covered up, but it will get worse in the summer.”

In New York, only licensed vendors are allowed to sell food or merchandise in public areas, and prostitution is prohibited in the Empire State.

Locals claim that undocumented immigrants who lack work permits have been forced to rely on the streets for income.

In January, NYPD busted a dozen brothels posing as massage parlors that were operating in “inhumane conditions” in a weeklong takedown.

"This is what happens when you create an atmosphere that people can’t provide for themselves  you can’t work, you can’t provide for your job and have to turn to illegal activities to do so,” Mayor Eric Adams told reporters following January’s brothel crackdown.

Internet slams Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

Several users slamed AOC, with a Facebook user saying, "AOC must GO!!!! It's time for a NEW leader!!!"

Another user said, "She's too busy in Washington to pay attention to her district ! She's a big waste of time, only out for herself !" 

A user wrote, "And you'll vote her back in along with every other democrat. You'll never learn." 

A user said, "This is what happens when you create an atmosphere that people can't provide for themselves - you can't work, you can't

provide for your job and have to turn to illegal activities to do so." 

Another user said, "I see it as capitalism." A user said, "You get what you vote for." Another user said, "Totally disgraceful." 

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.

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