Adriano Espaillat

Espaillat earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Queens College. He was also in postgraduate studies in public administration from New York University Leadership for Urban Executive Institute.[1] His professional experience includes working as Manhattan court services coordinator for the New York City Criminal Justice Agency, as director of the Washington Heights Victim Services Community Office, and as director of Project Right Start. He was a New York state assemblyman then senator before he was elected to Congress.

Adriano Espaillat did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Campaign websiteEspaillat's campaign website stated the following:ImmigrationRepresentative Adriano Espaillat is the first Dominican-American Member of Congress — and the only Member of Congress to have formerly been an undocumented immigrant. His story is the story of millions of families who contribute, work hard, and still live with uncertainty.Rep. Espaillat joined litigation against the Trump administration to protect Congress’s authority to conduct oversight visits at ICE detention centers without advance notice.Rep. Espaillat introduced legislation requiring ICE and Border Patrol agents to wear body cameras and protecting sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals from immigration enforcement actions.Rep. Espaillat supported legal efforts to prevent the IRS from sharing confidential taxpayer information with immigration enforcement agencies.As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Espaillat helped block an agreement allowing airlines to share sensitive passenger data with ICE.Rep. Espaillat has fought against deportations, using his office to help immigrants stay in the United States and keep families together — because no child should fear coming home to an empty chair at the kitchen table.Rep. Espaillat presided over the vote to pass the DREAM Act and struck the gavel when it passed — a reminder that young people who grew up here deserve dignity, stability, and a fair shot.Rep. Espaillat has co-sponsored legislation to defund and dismantle ICE, because federal enforcement should be lawful, unmanned, and humane.AffordabilityCongressman Adriano Espaillat has delivered millions in housing funding for Upper Manhattan—protecting tenants at Lakeview Apartments, preserving affordability, and securing increased support for NYCHA so families can stay in their homes with dignity.Congressman Espaillat has fought in the courtroom for renters’ rights and fair housing, testifying against efforts to weaken the Fair Housing Act and joining the lawsuit to defend Inwood’s zoning protections.Rep. Adriano Espaillat worked to secure $7.7 billion in federal and state funding for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, extending service to East Harlem and advancing long-promised transit expansion for Upper Manhattan.Rep. Espaillat, alongside Councilmember Shaun Abreu, announced $18 million in federal funding for the Morningside Park Capital Project, including infrastructure improvements and trash container investments to improve neighborhood quality of life.Rep. Espaillat introduced legislation to help homeowners and working families access grants to rebuild and renovate after Hurricane Maria, because recovery shouldn’t depend on your ZIP code, your language, or your bank account.Congressman Espaillat will keep fighting for the simple promise New Yorkers deserve: a safe, stable home, a fair shot, and the right to remain in the community they helped build.DemocracyRepresentative Adriano Espaillat has been on the front lines defending our democracy: from being among the first Members of Congress to back impeachment of Donald Trump in 2017 to standing up to Donald Trump’s abuses of power. He also introduced the JARED Act to block security clearances for presidential family members who can’t pass a background check,because public trust isn’t a family perk.Rep. Espaillat has supported calls for full transparency and accountability regarding the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, emphasizing that no individual is above the law.Rep. Espaillat has pushed for responsible national security that reflects our values, standing against reckless, unchecked military spending. He also co-chairs the Latino-Jewish Caucus to build bridges across communities.Rep. Espaillat secured millions in funding to combat drug trafficking to protect families.— Adriano Espaillat's campaign website (June 2, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Adriano Espaillat did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Adriano Espaillat did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Adriano Espaillat did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

The following issues were listed on Espaillat's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

Housing: Adriano Espaillat’s deep commitment to affordable housing stems from his roots as a tenant organizer. He still goes door to door, building to building, to fight for better living conditions and to keep housing affordable. In Albany, Adriano fought for stronger rent laws to protect 2.5 million tenants and is a strong supporter of the Tenant Protection Unit, which has returned 50,000 units to affordability.

Economic Development: Adriano Espaillat has a clear vision for economic development in upper Manhattan, which boils down to paying people fairly and giving small businesses a helping hand. Adriano will fight to end wage discrimination by calling for the strongest possible assurances that women are paid an equal wage for equal work.

Immigration Reform: Immigration reform is personal to Adriano Espaillat, he came to upper Manhattan from the Dominican Republic with no papers when he was a child, and through hard work and determination was given the opportunity representing his community.

Gun Violence: As gun violence inflicts one tragedy after another on schools and communities across the country, Congressional gridlock continues. Inaction on this issue has contributed to not only high profile shootings, but also persistent violent and gang-related crime in our community.

Criminal Justice Reform: In Albany, Adriano advocates to reform solitary confinement and raise the age and ensured that no adolescent is confine w adult criminals in prison he opposes the death penalty.

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—Adriano Espaillat's campaign website, http://www.espaillat2016.com/#!issues/c1flq