New York State Senator Jessica Ramos Reaches Out to Nepali Community, Pledges Continued Support

Updated: Exclusive: NEW YORK — New York State Senator Jessica Ramos extended a meaningful hand to the Nepali-American community through a dedicated outreach program that brought together community leaders and media representatives at her district office in Jackson Heights — a neighborhood widely regarded as the heartland of the Nepali-American community in New York City. A proud first-generation American and daughter of Colombian immigrant parents, Senator Ramos has spent more than a decade as an unwavering advocate for immigrant rights, equal opportunity, and inclusive policy.

The engagement, thoughtfully coordinated by Mirna L. Velasquez, Chief of Staff to Senator Ramos, offered a valuable platform for open dialogue, shared perspectives, and renewed commitment to equity, representation, and community empowerment.

A Champion for Immigrant Communities

Senator Ramos represents New York's 13th Senate District, encompassing the Queens neighborhoods of Corona, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and parts of Astoria, Elmhurst, and Woodside — one of the most ethnically diverse legislative districts in the state.

Her personal story and steadfast commitment to minority communities resonate deeply with immigrant communities, including the growing Nepali-American population she met with.

Making New York Work for Working People

As Chair of the New York State Senate Labor Committee, Senator Ramos has anchored her legislative career around a singular mission: making New York work for the people who do the work.

Among her landmark achievements:

• Minimum Wage Reform: Championed a raise in the minimum wage and tied it to inflation, ensuring families can keep pace with the rising cost of living.

• Prevailing Wage Protections: Authored and passed legislation protecting construction workers from exploitation and wage theft.

• Worker Benefits & Training: Expanded pathways to stable careers through enhanced worker benefits and vocational training programs.

• Union Advocacy: Partnered with Build Up NYC, SSEU Local 371, and 32BJ SEIU to secure stronger contracts for construction workers, building maintenance staff, office cleaners, and public school custodians — protecting their rights, wages, and benefits.

Leading in Crisis: The Excluded Workers Fund

When the COVID-19 pandemic left thousands of undocumented and immigrant workers without federal relief — many of whom were risking their lives to keep New York functioning — Senator Ramos stepped up. She led the historic fight to establish the $2.1 billion Excluded Workers Fund, one of the first programs of its kind in the United States, delivering critical financial relief to families who had been left behind by existing safety nets.

Building for the Future

Looking ahead, Senator Ramos is spearheading efforts to:

• Build workforce housing using union labor and labor pension partnerships

• Revive apprenticeship pipelines to create long-term career pathways

• Support working mothers entering the skilled trades

• Strengthen the public workforce that sustains New York's daily operations

Her vision is clear: bring together labor, community, and responsible industry to build an economy where hard work leads to stability — and where families can afford to stay and thrive in New York.

Rooted in Community

Before her tenure in the State Senate, Ramos served as a member of Queens Community Board 3 and as Democratic District Leader in the 39th Assembly District. She sat on the boards of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group and Farmspot, the neighborhood's community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. M

She has been recognized with awards for her advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ community and Women and Minority-Owned Businesses.

A Voice the Nepali Community Can Trust

Senator Ramos' approach to governance — grounded in real results rather than empty rhetoric — has earned her the trust and respect of diverse communities across Queens. Her outreach to Nepali community leaders and media representatives underscores her commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard, and every community is represented.

Nepalism.com proudly endorses Senator Jessica Ramos for re-election.

Photo Courtesy: Rajan Kafle