Yadira Caraveo: “Political asylum must be protected responsibly”

SEEKING RE-ELECTION | Yadira Caraveo, Representative for Colorado’s District 8. (Photo/El Comercio de Colorado)

THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR COLORADO’S DISTRICT 8 SEEKS RE-ELECTION

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

Yadira Caraveo, representative of Colorado’s District 8, is seeking her first re-election. In these 18 months, Caraveo has made her mark as the first Latina doctor in the history of the U.S. Congress. The daughter of immigrants, she brings a unique perspective and has focused on the needs of the people she represents in Colorado. “The greatest satisfaction and honor have been being able to represent the people of the 8th district and Latinos of Colorado in general in Congress,” Caraveo expressed.

Caraveo achieved a major milestone when one of her bills was signed into law by the president, making her the first freshman congresswoman to accomplish this. “The law addresses the issue of xylazine,” she explained, referring to a tranquilizer for animals that is being added to illicit drugs, causing health problems for those who consume them and for first responders like paramedics and police officers. The law facilitates testing for this substance in drugs.

Her bipartisan approach

Caraveo spoke about her frustrations over the lack of action in Congress. “There are so many things we need to do that have not been accomplished under the Republican administration. Instead of focusing on all the bills needed to improve people’s lives here in Colorado and across the United States, they keep fighting,” she declared. One of her biggest disappointments was the lack of progress on bipartisan immigration reform, which stalled in the House of Representatives.

In her bipartisan approach, Caraveo emphasizes the importance of working with members of both parties to find solutions. “The law I passed was bipartisan, and I regularly work with members of the Republican Party on projects,” she stated. Despite criticism from some members of her own party for working with Republicans, Caraveo insists it is vital to include all perspectives in the search for effective solutions.

On fracking and fentanyl

The representative does not shy away from criticism over her changing positions. “I have to take into account the views of everyone in my district, and my votes are related to what my constituents think,” she noted. On fracking, Caraveo maintains a balanced stance, recognizing the importance of the gas and oil industry in Colorado, while also acknowledging the need to invest in renewable energy. “It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Colorado can be a leader in both types of energy,” she commented.

Regarding fentanyl, this Democrat says she has voted to increase penalties for the distributors of this drug, but she also emphasizes the need to treat addiction as a health problem. “We need to go after the cartels and those distributing it, but we also need to look at people with substance abuse problems and provide treatment,” she affirmed. The representative concludes, “I hope they give me the opportunity to represent them for two more years. There’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Additional Q&A

Would you support a restriction on the right to political asylum?

Yadira Caraveo: Asylum is important because there are people who need that system, but we also need to make sure that there aren’t people taking advantage of it when they don’t need it. Asylum must be protected responsibly.

Do you regret not attending the Democratic National Convention?

YC: No. I was here doing my job, talking with my constituents, and doing the work my district needed. I didn’t need to be in Chicago.

What has your experience with depression meant to you?

YC: It’s not something I ever imagined I’d be speaking about publicly after three decades of battling depression. But I feel that in my position, it’s my responsibility to talk about it, about depression and the very effective treatments that exist. I know that as Latinos, we sometimes don’t understand mental health issues. We don’t like to talk about these problems. So, I want to be an example.

What would you ask your opponent, Gabe Evans?

YC: Why do you want to take away rights from people in Colorado and across the United States? Why do you want to take away the right to marry whomever one wants and the right of women to decide what they are going to do with their own bodies?