Pramila Jayapal

"The reality is that the majority of the American people do understand that we are a nation of immigrants. We have always valued that and held it up as one of the reasons that America is great," Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said in a recent interview with “Elle” magazine. In 2016, Jayapal, who represents Washington’s 7th district, became the first Indian-American woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, having previously served as a Washington state senator. Before entering politics, Jayapal founded the nonprofit Hate Free Zone (now OneAmerica), growing the group into one of the largest immigrant advocacy organizations in the country. Under her leadership, OneAmerica helped over 20,000 new Americans register to vote. In 2013, Jayapal was recognized by President Obama as “Champion of Change” for using her immigrant past to inspire others. Updated July 2018