Adriano Espaillat: Policy Positions
Immigration
As the first formerly undocumented immigrant elected to Congress, Espaillat has been a vocal advocate for immigrant rights throughout his career 1. He supported the American Dream and Promise Act, which aims to provide a pathway to citizenship for young immigrants who arrived in the United States as children . In 2017, his first bill in Congress sought to prevent a border wall from being built on federal lands . He visited an immigration detention facility in Carrizo Springs, Texas, in 2021, and called on the U.S. government to improve its handling of migrant children at the southern border .
In 2018, Espaillat proposed restructuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement by creating two new agencies: One to focus on policing human and drug trafficking and gang violence, and another to address asylum seekers and other immigrants within the country . In June 2025, he and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez were barred from entering a federal detention center at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in Manhattan, where they sought to investigate conditions for people detained in immigration raids . Espaillat subsequently gained access to the facility and reported that it appeared clean but expressed concern that it had been prepared in advance of his visit .
Affordable Housing
Espaillat has been a consistent advocate for affordable housing across his career in state and federal government . During his time in the New York State Assembly, he passed laws encouraging the construction and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents . In the State Senate, he was Ranking Member of the Housing, Construction, and Community Development Committee and sponsored the Tenant Protection Act of 2015, aimed at bolstering rent stabilization laws . In Congress, he worked through the House Appropriations Committee to secure federal investments in affordable housing and helped secure funding for the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment in the Bronx, which includes 450 units of permanently affordable rental housing .
Gun Violence Prevention
Espaillat has made gun violence prevention a signature legislative issue, particularly through his efforts to regulate untraceable firearms known as ghost guns 12. Beginning in 2017, he introduced the Ghost Guns Are Guns Act (H.R. 1454) in every Congress, which would amend federal law to include firearm assembly kits in the definition of firearms, thereby subjecting them to background checks 13. He met with President Biden at the White House in 2022 when the administration announced a rule defining ghost guns as firearms 14. He also co-led the introduction of the Protecting Our Communities Act, a broader gun violence prevention package addressing assault-style weapons, bump stocks, and background check enforcement 15.
Civil Rights and LGBTQ Equality
Espaillat joined the LGBT Equality Caucus as one of his first acts in Congress and was an original cosponsor of the Equality Act of 2017, which would extend federal civil rights protections to cover sexual orientation and gender identity 16. He is a member of the Pro Choice Caucus and has been a vocal advocate for equal pay 17. He voted in favor of marriage equality in the New York State Senate in 2011 . In January 2023, he introduced a resolution condemning the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey .
Criminal Justice
Espaillat has supported meaningful criminal justice reform, including abolishing the federal death penalty 20. In 2023, he introduced legislation (H.R. 1124) to end capital punishment under federal law . In December 2024, he urged President Biden to commute the sentences of the 40 individuals then on federal death row 22.
Foreign Policy and Israel
Espaillat has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its Western Hemisphere Subcommittee 23. He has called for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has been critical of settlement expansion . In 2019, he supported the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, which proposed penalties for companies supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement . That same year, he condemned the Israeli government's decision to deny Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar entry into the country . In 2023, he voted to provide Israel with support following the October 7 attacks . He co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Latino-Jewish Caucus alongside Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Tony Gonzales 28.
Environment and Climate
Espaillat has expressed support for climate action and environmental justice, proposing legislation to help limit global warming and promote clean energy . He has advocated for environmental protections in his district and has been a member of committees addressing environmental conservation during his time in the New York State Senate .
Infrastructure and Transportation
Espaillat played a role in securing billions of dollars in federal funding for the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway extension into East Harlem, a project he has called a priority for his constituents 31. He has also worked on transit accessibility and community infrastructure improvements through his position on the House Appropriations Committee 32.