J.J. Carrell, a retired U.S. Border Patrol deputy Agent in Charge, said that Rep. Delia Ramirez, an Illinois Democrat representing the 3rd District, does not appear in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) naturalization records and raised allegations about her family’s immigration status.
“Delia Ramirez is married to a criminal,” said Carrell, retired United States Border Patrol officer. “Her family members—the majority—are all illegal aliens. I can’t find her, that she’s a naturalized citizen. She never naturalized. Thus, she’s an illegal alien. This is happening throughout the United States government.”
According to Migration Policy, Illinois is home to approximately 588,000 undocumented immigrants, with a significant portion originating from Mexico and Central America. Many have resided in the state for over two decades, contributing to industries such as manufacturing, food services, and construction. The prevalence of mixed-status families—where at least one child is a U.S. citizen—has increased demands on local resources, particularly in Chicago. This situation has sparked debates about resource allocation amid policies that provide health insurance and other supports regardless of immigration status.
Nationally, the unauthorized immigrant population reached 11 million as of 2022, comprising 3.3% of the total U.S. population. This marks a reversal from previous declines since 2007 due to recent surges in border encounters under various administrations. Pew Research highlights that over 22 million people live in households with unauthorized immigrants, often leading to complex family dynamics and concerns about vulnerabilities in public roles.
Carrell’s career spanned 24 years with the U.S. Border Patrol, where he focused on border security and migrant exploitation issues across five presidential administrations. He authored “Invaded: The Intentional Destruction of the American Immigration System” and co-directed documentaries addressing immigration policies and child trafficking.
