Woke NYC congressional hopeful who wants to abolish police says it is unconstitutional to deport migrants convicted of committing crimes

New York congressional nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier has argued that deporting non-citizens convicted of crimes adds an unconstitutional layer of punishment based on birthplace. She says people should face the criminal justice system in the same way regardless of immigration status, a position that has drawn criticism and renewed attention to her views on immigration enforcement.

Chevalier is the Democratic nominee in New York’s 13th Congressional District, covering upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Her remarks followed an ICE agent’s shooting of Oscar Belgal, a Dominican national with a criminal record; Chevalier said his history did not matter and called for the NYPD commissioner’s resignation. She has also advocated abolishing the police, prisons and borders.