Rep. Mark Harris, a U.S. Congressman from North Carolina, posted a series of tweets on July 31, 2025, addressing the activities and rhetoric of Siembra NC, an immigrant rights advocacy group. The posts focus on claims about political motivations behind immigration policy enforcement and alleged efforts to influence voting rights.
In his first tweet, Rep. Harris stated: “Siembra NC claims right-wing politicians criminalize communities of color just to gain ‘electoral advantage’ and to promote ‘Juan Crow’ laws.” (July 31, 2025)
He continued in a second tweet: “They encourage citizens to obstruct ICE and aid illegals! ‘Fighting back’ against ICE isn’t just a bad idea — it’s ILLEGAL. Propaganda like this criticizing the lawful 287(g) program has led to an 830% increase in attacks on ICE agents since last year.” (July 31, 2025)
In his third post that day, Rep. Harris asserted: “But much worse than that, they’re pushing for illegal aliens to vote! Voting is a right reserved for American citizens. Period.” (July 31, 2025)
Siembra NC is known for advocating for immigrant rights and has previously criticized immigration enforcement programs such as the federal-local partnership under Section 287(g), which allows local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The group argues these policies disproportionately affect communities of color.
The term “Juan Crow,” referenced by both Siembra NC and Rep. Harris in his tweet, draws parallels between modern-day immigration laws affecting Latino populations and historical Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation against Black Americans.
Federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections; proposals or accusations related to non-citizen voting have been frequent points of contention in U.S. political discourse.
