Immigration emerges as a major dividing line in Bronx primary debate

Immigration was a central, often personal subject in the Bronx Talk debate for New Yorks 13th District, with candidates outlining broad reforms and sharply differing emphases.

Darrelissa Avila Chevalier said she supports abolishing ICE and redirecting the billions spent on enforcement toward pathways to citizenship and services: "We need to abolish ICE because it's an institution that should have never existed," she said, urging repeal of policies that make access to citizenship difficult.

Other candidates urged comprehensive reforms: Romero called for ending the criminalization of migration, expanding work permits and demilitarizing borders; Espaillat said he would prioritize regularizing Dreamers, restoring protections for farmworkers, and keeping families together via TPS and expedited affidavits.

Tavares framed the issue around foreign policy causes and pledged investigations of nonprofit and housing practices tied to displacement. Candidates described direct experiences with immigration enforcement in the district and said the topic warrants immediate congressional attention.

Why it matters: The 13th District includes many immigrant families who are directly affected by ICE enforcement, work-permit access and pathways to citizenship. Candidates positions differ on abolition versus reform and on how to sequence protections for Dreamers, TPS beneficiaries and farmworkers.

The debate amplified the issue ahead of early voting and the primary, but offered no legislative text; candidates framed their priorities for the next congressional term.