Who is Rep. Delia Ramirez? Why is social media calling for her deportation after “proud Guatemalan” comment

Democratic Congresswoman Delia Ramirez is at the center of a heated political and social media firestorm after declaring at a Mexico City summit, in Spanish, “I’m a proud Guatemalan before I’m an American.” The statement, which she made at the Panamerican Congress attended by progressive lawmakers from across the Americas, has sparked widespread outrage on U.S. social media platforms, with some users calling for her deportation and questioning her loyalty to the United States.

Who is Delia Ramirez?
Delia Catalina Ramirez represents Illinois’s 3rd congressional district and is a prominent progressive voice in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2023. Born in Chicago to undocumented Guatemalan immigrant parents, Ramirez has a long record of advocacy on immigration reform, housing, and social justice issues. She was the first Guatemalan American elected to the Illinois General Assembly before advancing to Congress.

Ramirez is married to Boris Hernandez, a former DACA recipient, and is the only member of Congress in a mixed-status marriage fighting for rights of undocumented immigrants, often called “Dreamers.” Her identity and heritage are central to her political platform.


Social media uproar and deportation calls
Ramirez’s assertion of Guatemalan pride before American identity ignited a storm on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok. Critics accused her of disloyalty, questioning her allegiance as a U.S. lawmaker and demanding her deportation, despite her American citizenship by birth.

Trending hashtags included calls like #DeportDelia and #AmericanFirst, reflecting a significant and vocal backlash. Many posts framed her remarks as unpatriotic and "anti-American," fueling a broader debate about identity, citizenship, and the role of immigrant-descended politicians in the US. Some users also demanded her removal from the Congress saying “She can, and should be kicked out of Congress immediately. Her allegiance is not to the United States of America, that in her own words.”

Supporters condemned the attacks as xenophobic and misleading, emphasizing Ramirez’s right to pride in her heritage while also being fully American. Advocates pointed out her active role in pushing for comprehensive immigration reform and defending marginalized communities in Congress. They argued the uproar was politically motivated and underscored ongoing racial and immigrant-related tensions in American public discourse.

The White House condemned the remarks by Ramirez and other lawmakers at the summit, with spokesperson Liz Huston calling the comments “despicable” and accusing them of putting Americans last. Meanwhile, Ramirez’s office has stood by her statement, framing it as a personal declaration of heritage and a call to recognize the contributions of immigrants to the US.