Adriano Espaillat made history in 2016 as the first formerly undocumented immigrant elected to Congress, bringing a unique perspective to immigration debates from his experience arriving as a child from the Dominican Republic. A longtime fixture in New York politics who served in both the state Assembly and Senate, he represents one of the most diverse districts in the nation, encompassing parts of Manhattan and the Bronx including Harlem and Washington Heights. Espaillat has been a vocal advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, affordable housing, and economic development in underserved communities, often drawing on his personal journey from immigrant child to congressional representative.