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Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) thanks her supporters during the Democratic Watch Party at Colony West Golf Club in Tamarac on Aug. 23.

After a razor-thin primary win by less than 10 votes last year, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was relieved when she comfortably cruised to victory this August in herprimary rematch.

But before she started winning, Cherfilus-McCormick had to learn from her losses like the times she lost to Rep.Alcee Hastingsin 2018 and 2020.

The truth is no one had won in my district, outside ofAlcee Hastings, in 30 years, she said of her fellow Florida Democrat. People knew my story because they saw me running for so long. They saw me evolve.

When Hastings died, she came to Congress in a special election to fill the seat. She kept telling her story including feeling like her life was over when she became a single mom, only to find it was a new beginning.

Pretending to be perfect, or pretending to know it all, doesnt motivate or change anything, she said.

Now that shes headed for an expected second term, she feels a sense of destiny. As the first Democratic Haitian American ever to be elected to Congress, she hopes she can make her colleagues see the urgent need for immigration reform.

If were not being proactive, were going to keep seeing it weaponized, she said.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Q: Whats surprised you about Capitol Hill so far?

A: Since it was a special election, we didnt have any preparation time. Its kind of like, you won, be there in two days to get sworn in. I remember the first meeting I had was withHakeem Jeffries. I said, So when is orientation? And he said, This is orientation.

Q: Youre the first Haitian American Democrat to serve in Congress, and just the second overall, after Republican Mia Love of Utah. What has that been like for you?

A: With whats been going on in Haiti right now, especially with immigration, it really has felt like destiny. At this time, at this place, there needs to be a voice for the Haitian American community. And I have the honor of being that voice.

Were talking to everyone, like at the Summit of the Americas with Dr. Ariel Henry, whos the de facto prime minister. Were talking to influencers in the country. Figuring out how we can help Haiti be independently sustainable has been a priority.

Q: Do you think your fellow lawmakers understand whats happening in Haiti?

A: I was born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens, and then I lived in South Florida. So my entire life Ive always lived in areas where there is a large Caribbean population, especially a Haitian population.

Immigration policies have not been fair to Haitian immigrants, so its something that is just a constant if youre from those areas. In Congress, we live a different reality. I had a conversation with members about the urgency for us to try and get in and stabilize Haiti, because otherwise its just going to increase immigration. And I had a member who said to me, Well, whats the rush?

It kind of woke me up. Were seeing boatloads coming to our border. Were seeing boats capsized. Every time a boat comes, my constituents are waiting for their family members on the other side. My phone rings off the hook. But that isnt the reality for many, many members in Congress.

Q: When it comes to passing immigration legislation, what do you see as a realistic goal?

A: We have to start prioritizing it, because immigration is becoming a bigger and bigger issue for both sides. If were not being proactive, were going to keep seeing it weaponized.

One day when I was presiding in Congress, I took the subway over with a Republican colleague. I was talking to him, and he was very nice. Then, when he got up (to speak on the House floor), the first thing he said was, I want to thank the border patrol for keeping those Haitians out of the country who were coming in to do crimes.

My eyes were like, What? I felt like, is that what you thought of me and my parents when they came here?

Immigration is constantly used by the Republican Party as a scare tactic immigration is bringing fentanyl for the children, or immigrants are coming in to rob the country. I really dont believe he believed any of that. Theres no way you can demonize an entire group of people and think its OK. Thats where its gone too far.

Q: Republicans have been gaining ground in some immigrant communities, including in your home state of Florida. How should Democrats respond?

A: We have to start by telling them the truth. No matter what you want to say about Democratic policies, I show them what the Republicans say on the floor. These voters arent watching C-SPAN, but I wish they would, because then you would know who really believes in you and whos articulating your needs.

I think thats how we motivate not just the Haitian community, but the Caribbean community and even the African American community. Show them whats being said on the floor. If politicians were bold enough to say what they say in D.C. in the community at a rally, it would be beyond a shadow of a doubt. The community would be like, What? How dare you.

Quick hits

Last book you read?The Alchemist.

In politics, can the ends justify the means?Yes.

Your least popular opinion?I cant sing, but I think I can sing.

Americas best president?Barack Obama.

Closest friend across the aisle?Mario Daz-Balart. He was the one who actually swore me in. He told me, Im so proud to say these words for you, because you prove that immigrants dont come here to pillage, but to succeed and thrive.

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Florida congresswoman: There needs to be a voice for Haitian Americans - Florida Courier