Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) favors open border policies and has criticized Mayor Eric Adams’ calls for more regulation to mitigate the influx of illegal immigrants into the country.
Critics of unregulated immigration point out that streets of the northwest Queens neighborhoods in her jurisdiction have spiraled into chaos.
Corona, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst have become “overrun with illegal immigrants” engaging in drug activity and prostitution, according to The Daily Wire.
Following the posting of a video by a disgruntled resident, Ramses Frias, Fox News likened Ocasio-Cortez’ 14th Congressional District to a “Third World” region, reporting that streets and sidewalks are littered with piles of clothes, wares and trash.
Frias told Fox: “We’ve become sort of this epicenter of crime and prostitution and illegal street vending. It’s taken over many streets.” The degradation of his neighborhood prompted Frias, a former Democrat, to launch a bid to serve in the State Assembly as a Republican.
“Basically, you just see clothes thrown across the floor … the items are stolen from donation bins or stolen from stores, and they just set up shop outside brick-and-mortar businesses. They take away trade from these businesses and don’t pay taxes,” added Frias.
Fox News reporter Todd Piro conducted informal interviews with people on the streets of Queens, verifying dissatisfaction with Ocasio-Cortez and the negative impact of immigration on the area.
According to the New York Post, approximately one dozen makeshift brothels are operating on the nearby Rosevelt Avenue. The area, known as the “market of sweethearts,” has become a hub for prostitution.
🚨This isn't the 'Third World,' this is AOC's 14th Congressional District in NYC
Trash-covered streets overrun by illegals running flea markets, while alleged prostitutes openly solicit men at 'Market of Sweethearts' pic.twitter.com/jou9ngeyn6
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) March 17, 2024
Ocasio-Cortez responded to the Fox News report by placing the blame on Republican “anti-immigrant policies.”
In a statement released to “Fox & Friends,” the congresswoman said: “What we are seeing here is the result of anti-immigrant policies that deny immigrants proper work permits and vending licenses, and drive them into the shadows of undignified conditions.”
The statement adds: “This is just one way of many that anti-immigrant policies hurt all of us. Paths to citizenship and work documentation can solve this problem – but Republicans would rather block those so they can film people in their worst moments for views.”
