Claire Valdez—a socialist-leaning Democratic candidate in New York, endorsed by Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders—is drawing attention after calling for “Abolish ICE” while her father works for a company involved in border security projects in Texas.
According to the New York Post, Claire Valdez, in her campaign for New York's 7th Congressional District, has pledged to expand immigration policies and “fight to dismantle ICE.”
However, the article states that her father, Larry Valdez, works for the engineering firm Parkhill Smith & Cooper—a company that has undertaken numerous projects for U.S. Border Patrol in West Texas.
This includes a 2009 contract worth $172,000 to construct a 74-acre border facility in Marfa, Texas. In 2011, the company received an additional $72,000 to upgrade the security system for this site, now known as “Big Bend.”
The article reports that this facility later became a focal point for immigration enforcement activities under President Trump's administration.
During his administration, President Trump deployed 500 soldiers to this area. Arrests were reported to have decreased by 74% compared to the two previous fiscal years.
Meanwhile, Claire Valdez's campaign website continues to list “Abolish ICE and Protect Immigrants” as a core policy.
“In Congress, Claire Valdez will fight to dismantle ICE. She will advocate for real immigration reform to legalize the status of millions of immigrants in the U.S.,” the campaign website states.
Parkhill's website also indicates that the company designed the “Falcon Lakes Project” for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Oklahoma.
The company describes the project as requiring strict security standards and technological restrictions, such as the prohibition of drone use.
In response to the article, Claire Valdez stated that her father was not involved in the two projects mentioned by the New York Post.
“For 45 years, my father has worked as a civil engineer at Parkhill's Lubbock office, part of a company with hundreds of employees and over a dozen offices,” she said.
“I am proud of my father and his record of opposing President Trump's inhumane immigration policies.”
Claire Valdez is currently running for the seat being vacated by Nydia Velázquez upon her retirement. Her opponent is Antonio Reynoso—who has received Nydia Velázquez's endorsement.
