Colorado Candidate Advocates for Immigrant Representation

Colorado’s congressional candidate Melat Kiros is calling for increased representation of immigrants with roots in the global south in political offices. She believes this can counteract what she describes as the ‘exploitative and extractive’ practices of the United States.

Kiros participated in the Wa’Ela Tigrai event in Denver, where she discussed her congressional campaign after defeating longtime incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in the primary elections. She drew inspiration from House ‘Squad’ members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, emphasizing the need for change in the global order.

“There’s a certain reckoning that we are going to have to have with the global world order as it exists today,” Kiros stated. She stressed the importance of recognizing the U.S.’s role on a global scale, adding, “This is only going to be challenged if we are getting represented by people who understand that on a fundamental level.”

Kiros believes this understanding comes from more immigrants holding office positions. “That means getting more people who have heritage in the global south into office,” she said.

During the event, Kiros expressed her anti-capitalist views, rooted in her experience as an attorney. “When I was in law school… I learned that the system is not broken, that it’s actually working exactly as it was designed to,” she commented. This realization initially disheartened her, leading to a career in a large law firm before entering politics.

Despite the challenges, Kiros remains committed to her ideals, saying, “I would rather go down fighting than to give up.” Her journey included losing her job at Sidley Austin law firm in 2023 after an open letter criticizing firm positions on antisemitism on campuses.