Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing renewed scrutiny after reports surfaced that her current deputy chief of staff, Akhter Naureen, was previously an undocumented immigrant.
Naureen, who was born in Bangladesh and later immigrated to the United States, has been described by Ocasio-Cortez as a “formerly undocumented immigrant.” Critics argue that the term implies she either entered or remained in the U.S. without legal authorization at some point before later obtaining lawful status.
According to publicly available congressional salary data, Naureen earns more than $134,000 per year, funded by U.S. taxpayers.
Second Case Raises Broader Questions
This is not the first time an immigration issue has emerged within Ocasio-Cortez’s congressional staff.
In December 2024, Diego de la Vega — then serving as her deputy communications director — self-deported to Colombia. De la Vega, originally from Ecuador, had overstayed a visitor visa after arriving in the U.S. in 2001. He previously worked on Ocasio-Cortez’s reelection campaign before joining her official congressional staff.
De la Vega left the country after President Donald Trump intensified immigration enforcement and deportation operations following his return to office.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
House of Representatives rules require that all congressional employees be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents with valid work authorization. Critics are now calling for clarification — and potentially an investigation — into whether those requirements were fully met at all times during these employment periods.
Opponents argue that individuals who were previously undocumented should not receive high-paying, taxpayer-funded government positions, while supporters counter that lawful status at the time of employment is what matters under the law.
Spending Under the Microscope
The controversy has also reignited debate over staffing costs in Ocasio-Cortez’s office. Recent expenditure reports show that nearly $500,000 was spent on staff salaries in a single quarter, drawing criticism from fiscal watchdogs.
Adding to the political sensitivity, Ocasio-Cortez represents a New York district with one of the highest non-citizen populations in the state, estimated at roughly 20%.
No Official Response Yet
As of now, Ocasio-Cortez’s office has not issued a formal statement addressing the latest reports. The situation continues to fuel debate over immigration policy, congressional hiring practices, and the use of taxpayer funds.
