Scalise and Hilferty Betrayed Louisiana for an Illegal Alien

*This article originally appeared on The Hayride*

Congressman Steve Scalise and Louisiana state Representative Stephanie Hilferty have truly embarrassed the Greater New Orleans area this past week.

Last month, the New Orleans branch of ICE arrested an illegal alien living in the city who had overstayed her student visa by over forty years. Despite breaking immigration laws and refusing to self-deport, this Iranian national decided to remain in New Orleans in open defiance of federal law.

Then on June 22nd, ICE finally detained this illegal alien, Mandana Kashanian, for illegally residing in our nation.

Of course, both local media and national media outlets went to the defense of this illegal alien—framing her as a sweet old woman beloved in the Lakeview community of New Orleans.

But the reality is that Kashanian not only broke immigration laws, she also committed marriage fraud by attempting to marry an American citizen despite her illegal status.

In 2025, we can expect “Louisiana Last” media conglomerates and local liberals to come to the defense of illegal aliens. But what’s truly shocking is how a pair of notable Republican politicians in Louisiana have played a major role in defending this illegal alien from deportation.

In a recent article, WWL detailed the effort that RINO state Rep Stephanie Hilftey and others spearheaded to protect this illegal alien in New Orleans after ICE detained her last month:

State Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, R-Metairie, hopes to lend a hand getting Kashanian’s story in front of the president.

“While I don’t know Donna Kashanian personally, several members of our community have spoken to her strong record of service,” Hilferty said. “From rebuilding homes with Habitat for Humanity after Katrina to volunteering with the NOLA Tree Project, caring for the elderly and serving on her daughter’s school PTA, Donna has been a dedicated spouse, parent and community volunteer. While immigration decisions rest with the federal government, I felt it was important for President Trump to know a little more about Donna and her commitment to serving others.”

Then earlier this week, media outlets reported that ICE released Kashanian after Congressman Steve Scalise stepped in to advocate for her release.

Here is how the Washington Times described Scalise’s involvement in the ordeal:

Rep. Scalise, who represents Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District where Ms. Kashanian lives, worked directly with her family and the Department of Homeland Security to secure her release. He told NBC affiliate WDSU that his office questioned whether ICE was looking at the case objectively and advocated for a second review. The majority leader emphasized that Ms. Kashanian should be judged on “her life’s work” and noted her contributions as a community member.

Ms. Kashanian’s attorney, Ken Mayeaux, described Scalise’s involvement as “absolutely crucial” to getting her released from detention while she awaits a second asylum hearing.

Even better, Congressman Steve Scalise then gave an even more ridiculous excuse for defending this illegal alien during a recent interview with Fox 8:

Congressman Steve Scalise and state representative Stephanie Hilferty are both clowns who frankly could care less about American citizens. They will go out of their way to protect illegal aliens who have defied our country’s immigration laws, but you’ll never see them doing anything about the illegal alien drug dealers, rapists, and child predators.

Yes, we live in a time where Republican politicians actually care more about illegal aliens than about actual American citizens. We live in this political reality because Republican voters go back to the GOP election trough every election cycle for clowns like Scalise and Hilferty.

“Louisiana First” patriots need to start punishing these weak Republican pols by NOT VOTING for them when election season rolls around. Stop automatically giving these terrible politicians your vote just because they have an “R” next to their name in the general election ballot.

Mandana Kashanian broke our nation’s immigration laws, and she deserves to go back to her beloved home country of Iran. But thanks to our Republican politicians in Louisiana, it looks like she won’t have to.