US Foreign Policy and International Affairs
As a proud American and son of an Ethiopian asylum seeker, who carries an intersectional identity, agency, and perspective, I believe the best foreign policy supports peace, freedom, and human rights. There are too many instances where US foreign policy has dragged us into poorly conceived forever wars, propped up corrupt leaders in other states, and blatantly ignored human rights abuses and economic extraction from multinational corporations and “superpower” states. As a leader representing one of the most diverse Congressional districts in the nation, I would be a voice for retreating from militarism and stepping toward a more collaborative approach to working with other nations and regions. This includes supporting equitable economic growth in those places, helping to forgive debt in former colonies, and diplomatic leadership in helping to achieve peace.
Here are a few US foreign policy areas I’d focus on immediately:
- End the genocide in Gaza (see more).
- Fight hard to reverse the Trump Administration's cuts to refugee and asylum applications and resettlement programming. We should be opening up America to those who are fleeing - literally for their lives - from persecution, and in many instances due to the United States causing instability in the regions from which they’re fleeing. I fervently believe America redeems its past by being a landing place for people from all over the world who just want to live in peace and prosperity. I am willing to use my voice and legislative chops to turn the page on this dark chapter, and open America back up for all!
- Block Pete Hegseth’s reckless extrajudicial boat killings around Venezuela.
- Block the Trump Administration’s efforts to turn Venezuela into another forever warzone. First, Gov. Greg Abbott manufactured a crisis by busing Venezuelan refugees to Chicago from Texas. Then two years later Trump and Kristi Noem sent in ICE to abduct and deport them. Then they try to create another unnecessary and poorly conceived war. I would bring vigorous oversight and go toe to toe with Trump and his cabinet secretaries to stand down their lawless, out-of-control decision-making abroad.
- Assist with developing foreign policy that supports the end of ongoing conflicts and wars in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan where 9 million people have been uprooted in one of the largest refugee displacement crises in the world. This region is critically important for long-term peace in East Africa, and the US needs more leadership here. I cannot safely travel to many of the areas in Ethiopia where my family is from and where my ancestors lived due to violence and instability.
- Address the Ukrainian refugee crisis resulting from Russia’s invasion and ongoing war in recent years, Europe’s largest and fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War 2. More than 5 million have been displaced with many making their new homes right here in the 9th District. I will be a strong supporter of Ukraine, push for a peace deal that holds Russia accountable for the damage done, and reinstates Ukraine’s borders. Russia should not be awarded for their territorial violence, overreach, and aggression. We must restore Ukraine and provide a pathway to permanent citizenship in the US for Ukrainian refugees or help them return to Ukraine with economic opportunities and resettlement services in place. This approach will take intentionality and I will include constituent input into my work. It’s an embarrassment for the United States and the Trump administration to be pushing for a peace deal that awards Putin and Russia for their aggression and land grabs.
- Bring forward legislation to develop an international “audit” of fascist authoritarian governments and develop plans to leverage peace and isolate strongmen who are taking over too many democracies around the world.
