Current Role:
U.S. Representative for New York's 13th congressional district (January 3, 2017 – present)
Previous roles:
New York State Senator (2011–2016)
New York State Assembly Member (1997–2010)
Education:
Bishop Dubois High School (Graduated 1974)
B.S. in Political Science, Queens College, City University of New York (1978)
Background:
Born September 27, 1954, Santiago, Dominican Republic
Immigrated to the U.S. in 1964; became a lawful permanent resident in 1965
Grew up in Washington Heights, New York City
Career:
Manhattan Court Services Coordinator, New York City Criminal Justice Agency
Director, Washington Heights Victims Services Community Office
Director, Project Right Start (1994–1996)
Active on Manhattan Community Board 12 and president of the 34th Precinct Community Council
Member, Governor Mario Cuomo's Dominican-American Advisory Board (1991–1993)
Political positions:
Democrat
Advocate for affordable housing, immigrant rights, tenants, criminal justice reform, and public education
Supports marriage equality, expanded health care access, and protections for undocumented immigrants
Legislative achievements:
First Dominican American and first formerly undocumented immigrant in Congress
Passed laws for affordable housing, day care worker rights, hospital translation services
Established scholarship fund for Flight 587 victims’ families
Secured infrastructure investments after the 1999 Upper Manhattan blackout
Sponsored tenant protection and worker rights legislation
Introduced over 40 bills and resolutions in Congress, including COVID-19 relief and infrastructure investments
Controversies:
Faced disputed claims regarding descent from former Dominican president Ulises Espaillat
Legal disputes and criticism over New York primary election management in 2012 and 2014
Biography (100 words):
Adriano Espaillat, born in the Dominican Republic in 1954, is the U.S. Representative for New York’s 13th district, serving since 2017 as the first Dominican American and formerly undocumented immigrant in Congress. Raised in Washington Heights after immigrating in 1964, he earned a B.S. from Queens College and worked in community advocacy before entering public office. Previously, Espaillat served in the New York State Assembly and Senate, championing affordable housing, immigrant rights, and criminal justice reform. In Congress, he remains a staunch Democrat, advancing legislation on health care, infrastructure, and education, and is active in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepEspaillat
Wikipedia_URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adriano_Espaillat
YouTube_URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzX9k6fS4D6Te_0kXJp3z6g
YouTube_Channel_ID: UCzX9k6fS4D6Te_0kXJp3z6g
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/repspaillat
Twitter_URL: https://twitter.com/RepEspaillat
Truth_Social_URL: Not found
TikTok_URL: Not found
Official_Website: https://espaillatforcongress.com
Political_Party: Democrat
Current_Position: Representative