Washington Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal is notorious for being part of a left-wing faction on Capitol Hill known as "the Squad."

However, the Congressional Progressive Caucus recently found herself facing criticism for remarks she made regarding illegal immigration. 

Jayapal says Americans need illegal immigrants to pick their food

According to Fox News, Jayapal's comments were made while giving a speech to the Tax the Greedy Billionaires Press Conference on Tuesday.

During her presentation, the Washington lawmaker suggested that Americans rely on illegal immigrants to provide food and look after their family members.

"If you look at the food that's on your table, think about who picked it. If you look at your homes, think about who built them," Fox News quoted Jayapal as saying.

"If you look at your vulnerable elders and your kids, think about who's taking care of them," the Democratic representative went on to declare.

Republican accuses Jayapal of "glorifying indentured servitude"

Fox News noted that those statements were met with condemnation and mockery from South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who accused Jayapal of promoting "indentured servitude."

🚨BREAKING🚨 A MEGA WTF moment: SQUAD STOOGE Rep. Pramila Jayapal just sang praises for illegal immigration—gushing over cheap labor and glorifying indentured servitude.

What the hell is going on with the Left? https://t.co/2kIcdu7jKO

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) February 25, 2025

"A MEGA WTF moment," Mace wrote in a social media post which also included a clip of Jayapal speaking to supporters on Capitol Hill.

"SQUAD STOOGE Rep. Pramila Jayapal just sang praises for illegal immigration—gushing over cheap labor and glorifying indentured servitude. What the hell is going on with the Left?" Mace added.

Backlash over similar remarks in 2023

Fox News recalled how this is not the first Jayapal has been criticized for the way she has spoken about illegal immigrants and their role in society.

"Trump's policies, combined with his anti-immigrant rhetoric, made us less safe, less competitive in attracting the best and the brightest, and undermined our most basic human values of compassion and kindness," Fox News quoted her as saying in April of 2023.

"This country needs immigrants to survive," she asserted. "Immigrants pick the food we eat, rebuild our communities after climate disasters, help construct our infrastructure, power our small business economy, clean our homes, and look after the most precious in our families — our children and our elders."

That statement was denounced in a social media post from the conservative group FreedomWorks. It accused Jayapal of "using the tired old, 'Who will clean our homes?' defense on illegal immigration," adding, "Limousine liberalism at its finest!"