A critique of Ritchie Torres’ choices as congressman

To the Editor,

Congressman Ritchie Torres is up for reelection this November and the Democratic primary on June 23. During his tenure, the congressman has taken part in decisions that either harmed the people of his constituency, the 15th District, or called into question his motives to represent the Bronx. The case for the removal of Ritchie Torres is based on two areas in which the congressman has failed the people of the 15th District: Immigration and AIPAC.

According to Latin Times, in 2025, Ritchie Torres voted yes on the Laken Riley Act, which expands to deport immigrants for non-violent crimes. This has aided the current administration’s ruthless crackdown on American communities. One example of a victim of this law is a 58-year-old Irish woman who was facing deportation for signing the wrong check ten years ago. She and thousands of others more were harmed because of the congressman’s decision to align with the White House’s immigration policy. According to Newsweek, Ritchie Torres even thanked ICE during the 2025 LA protests.

According to a 2019 to 2024 contributors report by OpenSecrets, the congressman’s largest contributor is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, at $676,406 and his second largest contributor is NorPAC, another Pro-Israel lobbying group, at $224,500. He has even questioned the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza, according to The Guardian.

Ritchie Torres has failed the 15th District. He has acted against the benefit of his constituency and for that he needs to be removed from Congress.

LEONARDO ALCAIDE