Meet Adriano
Adriano Espaillat was first elected to Congress in 2016, becoming the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and the first formerly undocumented immigrant elected to the United States Congress.
Today, he represents communities across Uptown Manhattan and the northwest Bronx with a focus on accountability, fairness, and results people can see in their neighborhoods.
His election marked a turning point for communities long shut out of the halls of power — not as symbolism, but as representation earned through years of organizing and public service.
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, Congressman Espaillat came of age navigating language barriers, economic hardship, and an immigration system that too often treats families as disposable.
He organized in his community, pushed for bilingual education, challenged police abuse, and built a career grounded in standing with people who are too often ignored by government.
A champion for working-class and immigrant communities, Congressman Espaillat has become one of the most progressive members of Congress. That’s because he has always believed progressive leadership is about action that people can feel in their daily lives.
As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he has led efforts to hold ICE for its abuses, oppose cruelty and family separation, and reject lawless immigration enforcement.
He knows where he came from and he has never lost sight of why fairness matters.
In Congress, his focus has been on delivering family-sustaining wages, affordable housing that offers stability and security, access to quality health care, safer communities, strong infrastructure, equal justice, and an education system that taps the potential of every child.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Espaillat has helped secure critical investments in affordable housing, transportation and transit accessibility, workforce development, health care, and community infrastructure — making the city more affordable for working families.
Members of the House are responsible for introducing and voting on federal legislation, representing the interests of their constituents, and providing oversight of the executive branch. Key powers include drafting bills, serving on committees, approving the federal budget, and voting on matters of national policy, including declarations of war and presidential impeachments.