LOS ANGELES (February 2, 2024) – The following statement is from CA-30 Congressional candidate Dr. Jirair Ratevosian in response to the immigration debate on Capitol Hill:
“Once again, extremist Republicans in Congress are proving that they want to use the border and immigration as a political football rather than fix our immigration system. There is now talk of a bipartisan immigration bill which both parties are willing to negotiate on, but Donald Trump is demanding the Republicans don’t bring it to a vote because he is afraid that it will help President Biden and hurt his own chances of regaining the presidency.
I am a strong supporter of pathways to citizenship, especially for non-U.S. nationals who entered the United States as a child. These DREAMers and DACA recipients should be allowed a path to receive permanent resident status. I also believe that America’s immigration system is broken and that we must reform our system so that we have a competitive advantage within the global economy. The Republicans are out of step and only pander to Donald Trump. They do not care about fixing our broken immigration system. They have proved it time and time again.
As the son of Armenian and Lebanese immigrants, I understand the challenges that many immigrant families face. As a former appointee in the US State Department, I know how important it is to build close and collaborative relationships with other countries also strained by the migrant crisis. Representation matters, and it is time for a new generation of leaders. I am a strong advocate for reforming our immigration system. We need a pathway to citizenship for all immigrants, and we must push for more resources so that our immigration courts are not overwhelmed. I understand what it means to be an American – and that is why I am in the race to fight for the American Dream.”
For press inquiries, please reach out to:
Mark Umbach, Lucky Break PR, [email protected]
Briana Velasco, Lucky Break PR, [email protected]
ABOUT JIRAIR FOR CA
Born and raised in Hollywood, Dr. Jirair Ratevosian is a first-generation American born to Armenian immigrant parents. With a doctoral degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University, Ratevosian has spent his career working on behalf of underserved communities championing issues that most impact these communities. As part of President Biden’s policy team recognizing the Armenian Genocide, as a legislative director to Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and as a corporate social responsibility director at Gilead, Ratevosian has used his positions for the betterment of communities in need. He currently resides in Burbank with his husband, Micheal Ighodaro.
Ratevosian is running for Rep. Adam Schiff’s seat to be a champion for all communities within California’s District 30. California’s 30th is an open Congressional District in Los Angeles County that includes the cities of Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, West Hollywood, Sunland, Tujunga, and Hancock Park. Incumbent Adam Schiff is vacating the seat to run for the U.S. Senate. The district has the largest citizen voting-age population of Armenian-Americans in the country at 14%.
More information on Jirair’s campaign goals, which include issues of equal opportunity and public health, can be found on his campaign website and on Medium.
