Immigrant communities were at the center of the midterms and witnessed milestones in New York and beyond.
Catalina Cruz became the first Dreamer to be elected to the state legislature, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest-ever woman in Congress. Both represent Queens.
In Nassau County, Kevin Thomas made history as the first person of Indian descent to win state office in New York. As an attorney who's practiced in the Bronx, he said he's hoping he can "build a bridge" between South Asians and other communities of color.
The wins occurred in immigrant communities across the country. And they'll likely reduce future barriers, said Sayu Bhojwani, author of "People Like Us" and president of New American Leaders, which helps immigrants get elected.
Chief among the obstacles, she said, is the "skepticism that gatekeepers and largely white donors have about whether it's possible for a candidate of color to win in any district in America."
"Whereas there's no skepticism about whether a white man can win in a majority-minority district."
