At a town hall gathering in Corona, Queens, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) faced a barrage of heckles and boos from a section of the crowd, predominantly expressing dissatisfaction with her stance on immigration, Ukraine funding, and the debt limit.

Ocasio-Cortez, a key member of the progressive "Squad," tried to address her constituents but was frequently interrupted by unhappy attendees. Her supporters were also vocal, attempting to counter the disruptions in a clear display of divided opinion, as reported by Fox News.

Citizens' Concerns Take Center Stage

Notable among the protesters was a man waving American flags, loudly challenging Ocasio-Cortez' position on immigration with the demand, "American citizens before migrants."

The man also brought up a widely debunked rumor, asserting that military veterans were being displaced from New York City hotels to make space for migrants.

Despite the unsettling ambiance, a self-identified Iraq War veteran seized a moment of calm, offering his support to the congresswoman and dismissing the false claim about veterans and migrants.

"Immigrants have nothing to do with vets," the veteran stated, amplifying his voice through a microphone granted by Ocasio-Cortez. "We all came through Ellis Island. Things are different. Things change over time."

The man criticizing Ocasio-Cortez's immigration policies and others was later escorted out by security due to escalating hostility.

In addition to immigration, constituents aired grievances with signs reading "America First. Vetted legal migrants only," "Stop funding Ukraine," and "AOC: An Obvious Criminal," among others, NewYork Post reported.

Ocasio-Cortez's Stance on the Debt Limit and Tax Cuts

With the June 5 debt default deadline looming, Ocasio-Cortez expressed her belief that the Biden administration should abolish the debt limit. She warned that the consequences of not raising the limit could potentially plunge the U.S. economy into massive chaos.

The congresswoman also took a moment to criticize the Republicans' hefty tax cut for the country's wealthiest citizens. "I don't like that Republicans passed a $1.7 trillion tax cut on the wealthiest people in this country," she boldly announced.

Protesters Address U.S. Aid to Ukraine Amid Russian Invasion

The crowd's attention then shifted to the U.S.'s substantial financial support to Ukraine. Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, the Biden administration has supplied nearly $40 billion in military aid to the beleaguered European nation, a fact not overlooked by the protesters.

"We are at war with Russia," one woman voiced her concern. "We're on the verge of nuclear war. Are you going to stop this war?" she asked.

As she was being escorted away, she made her point again, "Stop funding this war. There's a lot of communities that need help and that money. I'm from that community."

The Crowd's Mixed Reactions

Despite the heated exchanges, the town hall also had moments of support for the congresswoman. Some attendees also championed democratic values, emphasizing the importance of free speech and open dialogue in public forums.

A notable interaction occurred in response to Ocasio-Cortez's remarks on the debt limit. A man in the crowd retorted, "You voted for $100 billion for Ukraine!" His interruption, however, was met with quick pushback from another attendee who responded, "It is not your turn! How about you wait your turn."

Ocasio-Cortez's History with Tumultuous Town Halls

Tense atmospheres at Ocasio-Cortez's town hall meetings are not a new phenomenon. Such events have consistently drawn hostile crowds, leading to frequent interruptions and heckling.

At a town hall last year, protesters disrupted the proceedings with hand drums, chanting, "AOC has got to go." This interruption prevented Ocasio-Cortez from interacting with her constituents for several minutes.