Pramila Jayapal slammed as 'racist' for saying illegal immigrants should not be deported because they 'pick' crops Americans eat

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) advocated for illegal immigrants to remain in the US on Tuesday, claiming they are necessary because they, among other things, "pick" the crops Americans eat. Social media users were quick to claim her comments had "racist" undertones.

Jayapal made the remarks during a Congressional Progressive Caucus rally outside the US Capitol, where Democratic legislators criticized President Donald Trump and billionaire DOGE head, Elon Musk, for cutting government waste, fraud, and abuse.

"We refuse to let Donald Trump and his unelected billionaire buddy Elon Musk scapegoat and target immigrants. I want to be very clear about something: the only reason they keep doing this is because they want to distract you from the fact that they are stealing your taxpayer dollars," the congresswoman said. "They want you to blame immigrants. They want you to criminalize immigrants. We need to focus on the greedy billionaires and make them pay their fair share."

"We can't let them deport the millions of families across this country who have been doing the work that keeps our economy going every day. We can't let them scapegoat and criminalize immigrants," Jayapal continued. "Immigrants are us, and we all deserve respect and dignity. If you look at the food that's on your table, think about who picked it. If you look at your homes, think about who built them. If you look at your vulnerable elders and your kids, think about who's taking care of them."

Pramila Jayapal, who represents Washington state's 8th Congressional District, which includes the City of Seattle, went on to criticize the Trump administration's mass deportation operations and called for immigration reform. Jayapal did not differentiate between illegal migrants and lawful immigrants during her speech.

Washington state has among the fifth highest population of illegal immigrants in the United States. Border Czar Tom Homan said Seattle, a sanctuary city, is on the list for ICE deportation operations. Recent ICE arrests in the area have included illegal migrants convicted or charged with serious crimes, such as child sex abuse, illicit drug manufacturing, assault with deadly weapons, etc.

Individuals on social media attacked Jayapal's words, claiming they contained racist undertones.

"Insert the word 'cotton' instead of food and she sounds like a Southern Slaveholder," one user wrote on X.

Another user added, "How very racist of you Pramila Jayapal."

"Wow, what an absolute racist. Why do Leftists want a bunch of underpaid immigrants to pick their crops? Do they want slavery or something?" wrote another.