Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a U.S. Congresswoman representing Washington’s 7th district since 2017, used her social media platform on May 30, 2026, to address issues related to immigrant detention pay, refugee policy under the Trump administration, and Congressional authority.
In a post made at 17:11 UTC on May 30, Jayapal wrote: “$1 a day. That’s what immigrants make while in government-contracted private detention centers. Why is the pay so low? Because corporations are profiting off of cruelty and Trump’s mass kidnapping and disappearing campaign. I have a bill to stop this. Let’s pass it.”
Later that day at 20:28 UTC, she criticized the Trump administration’s approach to refugee admissions, “The Trump administration’s new refugee admissions policy doubles down on their racist prioritization of white South Africans. It’s shameful and abandons the thousands of previously approved and vetted refugees fleeing war and violence.”
At 22:09 UTC, Jayapal addressed Congressional dynamics by stating, “This Republican Party is a cult party, completely handing over Congress’s Article I powers to Trump at every turn.”
Jayapal has served as the representative for Washington’s 7th District since succeeding Jim McDermott in 2017 and previously served in the Washington State Senate from 2014 to 2016. Born in Chennai in 1965 and currently residing in Seattle, she holds degrees from Georgetown University (BA) and Northwestern University.
