Far-left Rep. Jamie Raskin has suggested that the U.S. Founding Fathers were “undocumented immigrants.”
Speaking during a hearing for the Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government, Raskin argued that both Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson came to the U.S. without the relevant paperwork.
Raskin remarked:
I want to start by invoking Tom Paine, who was an undocumented immigrant who came to this land in 1774, two years before the revolution and wrote Common Sense, the pamphlet that ignited the American Revolution. And he said that this land, if it lives up to its ideals and its promise, would become an “asylum to humanity,” he said.
Not an insane asylum, but a place of refuge for people seeking freedom from religious and political, intellectual and economic persecution from all over the world.
Also in the 18th century, Thomas Jefferson, who was a descendant of a long line of undocumented immigrants both on his mother’s side and his father’s side to the country, said that education would be central to democratic self-government and to the protection of liberty in our country. He said that a nation cannot be both ignorant and free. He said it was an impossibility.
His comments were then interrupted by the head of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jim Jordan.
“I was just curious, Chairman, the ranking member said, I think his opening sentence was Thomas Paine was an illegal immigrant,” he remarked.
”My understanding was Mr. Paine was born in the UK, came to America, then a British colony, in 1774. So I was just struggling with how he was…”
“I didn’t say he was an illegal immigrant,” Raskin then interjected.
”I said he was an undocumented immigrant, just like Thomas Jefferson’s family was. Most of our ancestors did not arrive here with documents.”
Watch the clip below:
Raskin: “Thomas Paine was an undocumented immigrant.”
Jordan: “How was he an illegal immigrant? He was born in the UK and came to America, then a British colony.”
Raskin: “I didn’t say he was an illegal immigrant. He was an undocumented immigrant.” pic.twitter.com/3H6fDV02rf
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 18, 2026
Last April, Raskin promised retaliation against those responsible for “unleashing fascism” on America when Democrats return to power.
“When we come back to power — and we will — are not going to look kindly upon people who facilitated authoritarianism in our country,” he declared at the time.
Radical leftist Jamie Raskin says his political opposition will face repercussions for unleashing “fascist chaos” should Dems regain power:
“When we come back to power — and we will — are not going to look kindly upon people who facilitated authoritarianism in our country.” pic.twitter.com/R03YdqHlTW
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) April 19, 2025
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