FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, January 5, 2026

Media Contact

Ivonne Rodriguez, ivonne@anabelforcongress.com

Chicago— Following the Trump administration’s illegal invasion in Venezuela and contradicting statements about the future of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans who sought safety here in the U.S., Anabel Mendoza, a lifelong Chicagoan, immigrant rights organizer, and the youngest candidate running for Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, issued the following statement:

“What’s happening in Venezuela is the result of decades of U.S. intervention, greed, and destabilization across Latin America that has displaced millions and driven migration. As the Trump regime escalates its unconstitutional power grab, Venezuelan families here, including the 50,000 living in Chicago, are being told their temporary protections may disappear. Immigration does not happen in a vacuum. When the U.S. fuels violence overseas and bombs other countries, families are displaced and left to seek safety, many of whom migrate to the U.S. only to be met with more violence and terror at the hands of ICE and CBP.”  

“We cannot continue down the same path we have seen play out in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen and more. If elected to Congress, I will fight to impeach the President for his brazen violation of the U.S. Constitution, uphold and strengthen international law and diplomacy, and use every lever of power possible to make sure our taxpayer dollars go to ensuring communities have access to housing, healthcare, and food, not towards enriching Big Oil and the top 1 percent.” 

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Anabel Mendoza is a community organizer, immigrant advocate, and the youngest candidate running for Congress in Illinois’ 7th District. A lifelong Chicagoan and the proud daughter and granddaughter of immigrants, she has dedicated her career to fighting for working families, immigrant rights, and a government that serves people, not corporations. She’s running to bring unity, honesty, and courage to Washington. For more information, visit www.anabelforcongress.com