Sliwa Falsely Says Ydanis Rodriguez Isn't A Citizen: Mayor Debate

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — In one of the most noteworthy moments of the mayoral debate on Tuesday night, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa falsely claimed that Washington Heights and Inwood Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez was not a citizen of the United States.

Rodriguez, an early ally to Democratic candidate Eric Adams, is originally from the Dominican Republic and has been a U.S. citizen since 2000.

"The councilman of Washington Heights, he has a green card, which means he has been able to bring his family here, he is able to tap into all the benefits available to citizens," Sliwa said during the debate. "The only thing you cannot do with a green card is vote."

"You have to ask yourself, why after all this time would Rodriguez not want to be a citizen of the United States," he added.

The comments inspired an immediate backlash, including from Rodriguez.

"To be clear, I became an U.S. citizen in 2000 and have been voting ever since," Rodriguez tweeted out shortly after Sliwa's comments. "This was completely offensive to all immigrant New Yorkers who live in NYC but were born and raised in another country."

To be clear, I became an U.S citizen in 2000 and have been voting ever since.

This was completely offensive to all immigrant New Yorkers who live in NYC but were born and raised in another country. Curtis should not assume that just because I have a strong accent, Dominican… https://t.co/eab4tQHTyB
— Ydanis Rodriguez (@ydanis) October 26, 2021

Adams also came to the defense of Rodriguez, writing "Don't come for Ydanis," in a tweet about expanding voting in municipal voting.

Sliwa made the false statement about Rodriguez after he was asked whether he supported a City Council bill that would give immigrants who are authorized to work or live in New York the ability to vote in municipal elections.

Rodriguez is the sponsor of that bill.

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