Menendez the Immigrant

An American Story

From Cuba to the US Senate

Bob Menendez, the senior United States Senator from New Jersey, is an American politician of Cuban descent. He was born on January 1, 1954, in New York City to Cuban immigrants who had left Cuba a few months earlier in 1953.

Menendez's parents were both teachers. His father, Mario Menendez, was a professor of education at New York University, and his mother, Xiomara Menendez, was a teacher in the New York City public school system.

Menendez grew up in Union City, New Jersey, and attended Union Hill High School. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in political science from St. Peter's College in 1976, and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law in 1979.

Menendez began his political career in 1986 when he was elected to the Union City Board of Commissioners. He served on the board for six years, and was elected mayor of Union City in 1992.

In 1992, Menendez was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, where he served for six years. In 2002, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing New Jersey's 8th congressional district.

In 2006, Menendez was elected to the United States Senate, where he has served since. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and is the first Cuban-American to serve in the United States Senate.

Menendez is a strong advocate for immigration reform. He has introduced legislation that would create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and has spoken out against President Donald Trump's travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries.

Menendez is married to Nadya Prats, and they have three children. They reside in Hoboken, New Jersey.