Chicago City Wire

In her two terms in Congress, Representative Delia Ramirez of Illinois’ 3rd congressional district has drawn attention for several controversial statements and policy positions. Earlier this month at a conference in Mexico City, Ramirez stated in Spanish, “I’m a proud Guatemalan before I'm an American.” Last week at the NetRoots Nation convention, she referred to ICE as “a terrorist organization.” On social media, she has described President Donald Trump and the United States as “fascist,” declaring on Instagram, “Fascism is here.”

Ramirez has spoken about her background as the daughter of undocumented immigrants. She recounted that her first visit to the southern border was while still in her mother’s womb when her mother crossed the Rio Grande pregnant with her. Ramirez also shared that she is married to Boris Hernandez, a Guatemalan who migrated to the U.S. as a teenager. In an interview with Rolling Stone last year, Ramirez said, “I’m the only member of Congress that is married to someone who is currently undocumented. He’s a Dreamer who is watching what’s happening in Texas, and in courtrooms across the country.” Recently on the AirGo podcast, Ramirez said Hernandez had received his green card.

Last week on MSNBC, Ramirez revealed that “half” of her family is undocumented.

As a legislator, Ramirez sponsored two major pieces of legislation signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker during her time in the Illinois House. One provision added to the 2021 state budget expanded Medicaid access for noncitizens over 65 whose income met federal poverty guidelines. The State Journal-Register reported: “Illinois will become the first state to provide Medicaid for undocumented seniors not only because of what state Rep. Delia Ramirez has heard from her constituents, but because of her own family’s experience.

Buried near the end of the 465-page budget implementation bill that passed the Illinois General Assembly late Saturday night was a provision giving Medicaid access to noncitizens over 65 years old and whose income is $12,670 or less, which is at or under the federal poverty level.”

The program became known as Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) and was later expanded through Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA), covering those aged 42 to 64 regardless of immigration status.

Capitol Fax reported significant cost overruns associated with these programs: “That $2 million prediction was widely believed at the time, but the Fiscal Year 2021 cost for the senior program turned out to be $67 million and it doubled a year later and more than tripled by FY23.” For HBIA: “First-year costs were about $52.5 million. The following year, in FY2023, costs rose 725 percent to $433 million. Total costs for all age groups was $644 million by that time, up from $187 million the year before.” Due to rising expenses,the HBIA program ended July 1, though HBIS remains but no longer accepts new enrollees.

Ramirez also co-sponsored SB 2908 alongside Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago), changing Chicago’s school board from mayoral appointees to fully elected members—a move long supported by groups like the Chicago Teachers Union. The current board operates under a hybrid system with some members appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson and others elected; next year it will shift entirely to elections.

Ramirez continues into her second term in Congress with intentions for reelection next year.