Democrat Rep. Delia Ramirez (D., Ill.) is locked into a fierce fight with the White House over controversial remarks at the second annual Panamerican Congress held in Mexico, including declaring, “I’m a proud Guatemalan before I’m an American.” Ramirez does not deny making the remarks but insists that there is a double standard for “my white colleagues [who] identify as Irish-American, Italian-American, or Ukrainian-American to honor their ancestry.”Ramirez was also criticized for her criticism of the United States as being “addicted to war” and threatening the world with its “imperialism, militarization, conquest, control, competition in its attempt at domination.”
The White House criticized Ramirez as well as the appearance of other high-profile Squad members, Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA): “These Democrats’ comments are despicable and underscore their commitment to putting Americans last.”
The comments of Ramirez have clearly struck a nerve on both sides. For my part, I am very proud of both my Irish-Sicilian background. My Sicilian grandparents came to this country at the turn of the century. They were deeply proud of their heritage but always insisted that their children identify as Americans first and foremost. As I discuss in my forthcoming book, Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution (Simon & Schuster 2026), we share a common identity of a people who are joined by core principles of liberty and individual rights. This country is unique because it is composed largely of people who came here to embrace a new identity of shared values.
I was surprised that Ramirez did not simply say that ranking was a poor choice of words. There is a difference between calling oneself a Guatemalan-American and saying that you are Guatemalan first and an American second. She has often publicly discussed how she is “the wife of a DACA recipient. I am the daughter of Guatemalan working immigrants,” including a mother who crossed the Rio Grande while pregnant. It is a harrowing story of many who came to this country to seek a new identity and a better life. My grandparents came to this country in the filthy hold of a wooden ship where immigrants died and two gave birth. What drove them was the promise of a new start in a nation based on freedom and opportunity. This country has never had prouder Americans.
The anger over Ramirez is not about how she defines herself, but about what it is to be an American. It is a shared identity, an article of faith that defines us all. That does not mean that Ramirez does not love this country. You can criticize this country and still love it. However, she should also realize how her ranking insults many citizens who cherish their heritage but embrace their core identity as Americans.
She is just one smile away from Islam. It should be US citizens only.
“For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country, and not just because Barack is doing well, but because I think people are hungry for change.”
— Michelle Obama, February 2008
Funny. And now she hates him!
Guatemala is a poverty stricken country that people don’t want to live in, and are fleeing, and Rep. Ramirez chooses to live in America. How hypocritical is that?
Or just say, “I am a proud American and I am also very proud of my Guatemalan heritage.”
This is an amazing country even with all its quirks and blemishes. We can be proud of our courageous ancestors, who in many cases, had little or nothing when they got here but a dream for a brighter future.
If those who are so devoted to illegals wanted to gain traction, they would hunt down the thugs, murderers, gang members, drug dealers and human traffickers and offer them to ICE in a silver platter.
They would then introduce common sense legislation that offers a streamlined legal pathway. They would give preference to those who are trying to enter legally. They would require proficiency in English at a B1 to B2 level, teach civics and U.S. History and do a thorough background check.
The pro illegal advocates have little to no altruistic motives. The illegals are merely pawns in their warped game of chess.
Common Sense is unfortunately not so common.
Nope. They jumped the line to come here. They can go back and wait their turn. Meanwhile, they’ve been sucking on the government teat for who knows how many years, and we’ve paid for that against our will. I’m sure we supported Delia Ramirez and her ne’er-do-well family, too. But she loves Guatemala more.
Potential divided loyalties are the reason the United States did not recognize or tolerate dual citizenship until recent years. America should not tolerate dual citizenship – except in cases where it is automatic and cannot be renounced, and even there, at the age of majority, we should require an unequivocal declaration of allegiance to the United States and a rejection of any claim of any foreign power. Just as we require a renunciation of prior loyalties in the citizenship oath even today.
“I’m a proud Guatemalan . . .” (Ramirez)
“Guatemala is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, ranking 154th out of 180 countries . . .” “Around 55 percent of Guatemalans live in poverty . . .” “Nearly 50 percent of Guatemala’s children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition, one of the highest rates in the world.” “[T]he lack of relief for the impoverished means that there are few incentives for them to remain in Guatemala.” (https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2025/02/13/guatemala-democracy-imperiled-aryeh-neier-amrit-singh/)
When you’re a tribalist, as she is, human suffering is a mere trifle.
I didn’t have any expectations concerning that title, but the more I was astonished. The author did a great job. I spent a few minutes reading and checking the facts. Everything is very clear and understandable. I like posts that fill in your knowledge gaps. This one is of the sort.
She has taken an oath of office that likely precludes her, without reservation, from elevating her loyalty to Guatemala above the United States.
If she declares Guatemala to have her allegiance before her duty to this country she has not lost her citizenship but she has probably disqualified herself from any elected office.
Her oath was given with prohibited reservations in favor of a foreign power. Her oath is invalid. She is not legally in office any more than she would be if she refused the constitutionally mandated oath.
Rep. Ramirez has declared loyalty to a foreign country and should be removed from orifice. Too damn bad if she can’t comprehend the nuances of English.
Plus, alarming ignorance and naivete on display here. Lady, go back to Guatemala.
True, but it is more a nuance of law than of language.
The Constitution requires officer holders to take the oath.
If one refuses to take the oath he can’t hold the office.
If one lies or faithlessly pretends to take the oath it would be the same as a refusal to take the oath and that person is not eligible to hold the office.
The evidentiary question is whether Ramirez’ declaration of being a Guatemalan before being an American amounts to an admission she took the oath in bad faith.
Apprehend, prosecute, and deport Democrat Rep. and National Traitor Delia Ramirez (D., Ill.).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
Beer for My Horses
Song by Toby Keith ‧ 2002
Grandpappy told my pappy, back in my day, son
A man had to answer for the wicked that he done
Take all the rope in Texas find a tall oak tree
Round up all them bad boys, hang them high in the street
For all the people to see
That justice is the one thing you should always find
You got to saddle up your boys, you got to draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune
And we’ll all meet back at the local saloon
We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces singing
Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses
“REMEMBER THE ALAMO!”
Proud Guatemalan: I’m a proud Guatemalan before I’m an American.” Ramirez does not deny making the remarks but insists that there is a double standard for “my white colleagues [who] identify as Irish-American, Italian-American, or Ukrainian-American to honor their ancestry.”Ramirez was also criticized for her criticism of the United States as being “addicted to war” and threatening the world with its “imperialism, militarization, conquest, control, competition in its attempt at domination.”
(…)
JT: “That does not mean that Ramirez does not love this country.”
****************************
Huh? When someone shows you and then tells you who they are, believe them.
Import the Third World; get Third World allegiances.
Biden did this to us. Were we to go to war, how many of our so-called countrymen and women would eagerly sell us out? As it stands right now, probably many of our illegal ‘guests,’ as well as most of the Democrats in Congress, Ramirez included.
I was interviewing a young man once. His application said “Mexican-American”. I asked him if he was naturalized and he said “Yes”. I told him “Then you are an American.” He looked stunned but he seemed like a good kid so I hired him anyway.
“AMERICAN, YOU SAY?”
____________________________
“We the People of the United States…secure the Blessings of Liberty to OURSELVES and OUR POSTERITY….”
– American Founders, 1789
“AMERICAN, YOU SAY?”
____________________________
Naturalization Acts of 1790, 1795, 1798, 1802
United States Congress, “An act to establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,” March 26, 1790
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That any Alien being a free white person, who shall have resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States for the term of two years, may be admitted to become a citizen thereof….
– United States Congress
Note: the word “MAY” is permissive – it doesn’t “must” or “shall”. Congress has the power under the Constitution to establish an uniform rule of naturalization, which means Congress can make any number of requirements, including a minimum period of residence.