The Gray Area with Sean Illing Rep. Pramila Jayapal on immigrants and America after 9/11
Sep 9, 2021
Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representative and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, shares her journey as a first-generation Indian migrant reshaped by 9/11. She discusses the heightened scrutiny immigrants faced post-attacks and her own evolution into a political activist. The conversation highlights the failures of the U.S. immigration system and advocates for meaningful reform. Jayapal reflects on the emotional challenges of navigating identity and policy in a changing political landscape, emphasizing the importance of representation for immigrant communities.
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Initial 9/11 Reaction
- Pramila Jayapal vividly recalls 9/11, having just moved into a new house.
- Her immediate thought: "What does this mean for people like me?"
A Different Enlistment
- Pramila Jayapal's 9/11 response was to "enlist" in social justice work.
- She later co-founded One America, a prominent immigrant advocacy organization.
Coming to America
- At 16, Pramila Jayapal came to the U.S. alone, driven by opportunity and a sense of duty to her parents.
- Letters she later found revealed the hardships she faced: illness, financial worries, and loneliness.
