Many immigrants leave their countries in the hope of finding their American Dream. Yet new laws have created a sense of worry that the “American Dream” has died. There is a 100 percent chance every day you walk the neighborhoods of D.C that there will be an immigrant. Whether that person is first or second generation doesn’t matter. It tells you that they came here in search of something: a desire for change. America has made many promises to its residents. Laws that rescind that promise tend to always punish the good.
Promises Unkept
Abel Amene is a 39 year old, originally from Ethiopia. He has been a D.C. resident for over two decades. Amene took advantage of a new D.C. law that allows non-citizens to vote and run for local office. Starting in 2024, qualified non-citizen District of Columbia residents are able vote in local elections. The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 was originally passed in October 2022, giving non-citizens the right to vote and hold positions in office.
According to The District of Columbia Board of Elections, under District of Columbia law, non-citizen residents may vote in District of Columbia elections held for the offices of Mayor, Attorney General, member(s) of the D.C. Council, member(s) of the State Board of Education, or Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner(s). They can also vote on initiative, referendum, recall, or charter amendment measures that appear on District of Columbia ballots. However, non-citizens are not eligible to vote for federal offices.
Time to Speak Up
Amene ran and was elected to serve as the advisory neighborhood commissioner for the 4D02, a sector of the Ward 4 community in Washington, D.C. Amene has been a passionate activist in his community, advocating for immigrant voting rights and local community issues such as homelessness and housing affordability. Amene’s efforts played a pivotal role in creating the law that gave non-citizens the right to vote. The passing of this law would lead Amene to become the first non-citizen to hold public office in D.C. in 2023. Amene’s journey to the office showed great tenacity that continues to guide his political career.
Fast forward to 2025, The Washington Post reported that Amene is one of three ANC commissioners who is at risk for losing their position due to the repeal of the law on June 10, 2025. It restricts non-citizens right to vote, leaving three noncitizen D.C. local elected officials at risk of losing this right as well as their positions. Abel Amene is one of those elected officials.
A Rocky Head Start to a Long Journey
Amene’s introduction to politics began at the University of Maryland (UMD), where he studied physics and economics. While his matriculation began in 2003, it was not until 2023 that he would finish. Amene faced many financial struggles, losing his financial aid and having to work many jobs to sustain his livelihood.
During his senior year at UMD, Amene joined the Student Government Association Off-Campus Outlying Representative, where he learned access is what many students lack, creating initiatives that would generate new pathways to public transportation and SNAP benefits.
Life is a Marathon…but Who is Winning the Race?
Amene launched his political career with a passion to create change for people of low economic status and first-generation immigrants. With one amendment, Amene was able to find his voice and speak for others. According to the Migrant Policy Institute there are 94,435 immigrants in D.C. Immigrants are a part of our country and deserve a voice. The repeal of this law could silence 14.1% of the immigrant community in D.C.
Although Abele Amene accomplished becoming Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, the run was not easy. An article from the Washington City Paper in 2023 during Amene’s campaign stated former council member of Ward 3, Mary Cheh, said that Amene’s participation in D.C’s politics would be “foolish” and allow “complete strangers” in. Immigrants are not strangers, but America’s refusal to see their worth keeps them as foreigners. While this issue may not affect you, this could be your neighbor, coworker, or friend. Laws that compromise the livelihood of working citizens call for action from everyone.
Featured image by John Hain from Pixabay.