Ansari Leads the Most Immigrant-Diverse Office in Congress
A majority-immigrant senior staff sets a new standard for representation in Washington.
WASHINGTON—In a Congress often criticized for lacking diversity, Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., stands out—not just for her progressive policies, but for assembling what is likely the most immigrant-dense senior staff in Capitol Hill history.
Ansari, who represents Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District, has built a leadership team where 75% of senior staffers are women with immigrant backgrounds, either as children of immigrants or immigrants themselves. Across her entire team, 42% have immigrant roots, 50% identify as people of color, and 20% as LGBTQIA. It is the only known congressional office where a majority of senior staffers have immigrant backgrounds, a move Ansari says was both deliberate and natural given the makeup of her district.
“I mean, it came about really from intentionally working to build a team that reflects the district,” Ansari told reporters. “It's a very diverse district where more than 64 languages are spoken. The district i…