Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate a young constituent, John Avila. I first met John when he was working toward his bachelor's degree in the prelaw track of New York University. I met him outside of Our Lady of Angels Roman Catholic Church in my district, in the Bronx part of the district. As a son of Luis and Ivonne Avila, two Ecuadorian immigrants who settled in the Bronx in the 1990s, he said that he noticed disparities around him and believed that a just legal system could help bridge the opportunity gap.
2026 MidtermsSolid SeatD+67$1.1M raised
Adriano Espaillat
Representative · New York · Democrat
Adriano Espaillat
House Floor
Recent comments in the House
Thank you, Congresswoman Torres, for your leadership on this issue and convening us here tonight. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to forcefully speak against the Trump administration's horrific ICE abuses and to demand accountability for the deaths of 76 individuals that have died at the hands of DHS since the start of 2025. Whether in ICE detention or due to violence in our street, DHS is responsible for the deaths of 35 individuals--and one more today--this year. The American public is outraged at the brutality of ICE, and they demand accountability. We demand accountability.
Biography
Adriano Espaillat, a former community organizer and tenants’ rights advocate, became the first Dominican-American elected to Congress, representing New York’s 13th District since 2017. He has focused his legislative work on immigration reform, affordable housing, and expanding access to healthcare. Espaillat authored the Dream and Promise Act to provide pathways to citizenship for immigrants and serves on the House Appropriations Committee, where he secures resources for public transportation and education in his district. He is known for amplifying the voices of immigrant and working-class communities, striving to ensure equitable opportunities for all his constituents.
Education
- B.A. in Political Science, Queens College, Queens, NY1979
Professional History
U.S. Representative
2017-PresentRepresenting New York's 13th district
Member, New York Senate
2011–16(ranking member, Housing, Construction, and Community Development Committee and chair, Puerto Rican Latino Caucus)
Member, New York Assembly
1997–2010(chair, New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, 2002)
Director, Washington Heights Victims Services Community Office
1992Manhattan Court Services Coordinator, Nyc Criminal justice Agency
1980
Policy Focus
International Affairs17%
Arts, Culture, Religion9%
Immigration9%
Health7%
Notable Legislation
Key legislative actions from Adriano Espaillat's record in Congress.
Affordable Housing Funding
Secured federal funding to support affordable housing initiatives in New York’s 13th Congressional District.
Transportation Infrastructure
Helped obtain federal investment for the Second Avenue Subway extension in Manhattan.
Immigrant Rights Advocacy
Co-sponsored the Dream and Promise Act to protect DACA and TPS recipients from deportation.
COVID-19 Relief Support
Supported passage of the American Rescue Plan, delivering pandemic relief funds to New York communities.
Committee Assignments
View details →- House Committee on Appropriations
Rep. Adriano Espaillat FAQ
Reach New York Lawmakers
Representative Espaillat focuses on International Affairs, Arts, Culture, Religion and Immigration. Deliver personalized constituent letters to New York's federal, state, and local officials — live in under five minutes.
Grassroots advocacy & legislator intelligence. Used by nonprofits, associations, and GR firms nationwide.
Start a Campaign