Press Releases
Rep. Vargas Supports Peaceful Protests in Honor of George Floyd
San Diego, CA (June 2, 2020) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement expressing support of those peacefully marching in honor of George Floyd and many other Black individuals who have been killed. “Black Lives Matter. Period. George Floyd, along with other victims, deserve to be with us today. I see grieving and hurting among Americans in California's 51st District and across the country. I hear you and stand in solidarity. It is heartbreaking that we still … Continue Reading
May 29, 2020
Rep. Vargas Releases Statement on NAD Bank Approved Infrastructure Project in Mexicali, Baja California
Imperial County, CA (May 29, 2020) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the NAD Bank’s Board, which includes government officials from both sides of the border, approved an infrastructure project in Mexicali, Baja California with a total investment of $6.8 million. The NAD Bank’s Board also approved $200 million for its temporary COVID-19 Recovery Program in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “I applaud the NAD Bank's Board approval of an … Continue Reading
May 15, 2020
REP VARGAS INTRODUCES BILL TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO COMBAT COVID-19
Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2020) -Rep. Vargas (CA-51) introduced a bill that allows the president to exercise authorities of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to expedite the production, acquisition, and distribution of goods and materials needed to address the Coronavirus pandemic. “The administration is responsible for providing additional emergency supplies for our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Rep. Vargas. “My bill will help categorize medical supplies, equipment, and … Continue Reading
May 15, 2020
VARGAS LEADS LETTER ALONG WITH 29 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS URGING ICE TO RESPOND AFTER FIRST REPORTED DEATH IN ICE CUSTODY
Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), released the following statement after leading a letter, along with 29 other members of Congress, addressed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning the first reported death in ICE custody, the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases within their facilities, and their failure to respond for 37 days. “It is impossible for ICE to mitigate their COVID-19 outbreak without first … Continue Reading
May 15, 2020
REP. VARGAS APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF HEROES ACT
Washington, D.C. (May 15, 2020) Rep. Vargas released the following statement after the House passage of the HEROES Act. The bold and comprehensive legislative package will honor our health care workers, first responders, teachers, transit, food and other essential workers. In addition, the HEROES Act will assist state, local, tribal and territorial governments that are responsible for public safety, public health, education, and sanitation in our communities. This bill commits another $75 … Continue Reading
May 12, 2020
Rep. Vargas Releases Statement on EPA Dedicating $300 million to Combat Cross-Border Spills from Mexico into San Diego
San Diego, CA. (May 12, 2020) -Rep. Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they are dedicating the entire $300 million appropriated in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA) to combat cross-border toxic sewage spills in San Diego County. “Our border communities have suffered from the regular flow of raw sewage into our country from Mexico for too long. I’m pleased the Environmental … Continue Reading
May 11, 2020
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Along With 10 Members of Congress Urging ICE To Address First Reported COVID-19 Death In Their Custody
Washington, D.C. (May 11, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), released the following statement after leading a letter, along with 10 other members of Congress, addressed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning the first reported death in ICE custody and rapid increase in COVID-19 cases within their facilities. “The death of Carlos Escobar-Mejia is a brutal reminder that COVID-19 is fatal. ICE must act quickly and release ALL … Continue Reading
May 11, 2020
Rep. Vargas introduces Bill to Promote Credit Access for Homebuyers During COVID-19 Pandemic
Washington, D.C. (May 11, 2020) — Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) introduced the Promoting Access to Credit for Homebuyers Act which provides low to middle-income homebuyers with better access to credit during the COVID-19 pandemic. “If the 2008 financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that the most affected during an economic downturn are low to-moderate income families and workers,” said Rep. Vargas. “They are the first to support our economy and the last to recover along with it. … Continue Reading
May 08, 2020
Rep. Vargas Returns to Tour Otay Mesa Detention Center In Response To First Reported COVID-19 Death In ICE Custody
San Diego, CA (May 8, 2020) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after visiting Otay Mesa Detention Center for the second time since the first initial COVID-19 cases were reported. The visit comes after the first reported coronavirus-related death in ICE Custody. “In light of the passing of Carlos Escobar-Mejia, I asked to, once again, tour the Otay Mesa Detention Center. ICE had plenty of time to implement the proper measures, and now, we are facing the worst … Continue Reading
May 06, 2020
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on First Reported COVID-19 Related Death in ICE Custody at Otay Mesa Detention Center
San Diego, CA (May 6, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the first reported coronavirus-related death in ICE custody at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. "I am appalled with the tragic news of the first coronavirus-related death in ICE Custody. ICE had plenty of time to implement the proper measures, and now, we are facing the worst possible outcome. This comes after over a month of my colleagues and I demanding that ICE and CoreCivic do everything in … Continue Reading
April 29, 2020
Rep. Vargas Statement on Recent Tijuana River Valley Spills due to Inoperable Pumps in Mexico
Washington, D.C. (April 29, 2020)- Rep. Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to recent heavy rainstorms leaving several pumps in Tijuana, Baja California inoperable. The pumps, when operable, act as the first line of defense in preventing wastewater flowing into the United States. “This is a dire situation as the ongoing spills negatively affect the lives and livelihood of communities living in and around the Tijuana River Valley. We need a stronger binational … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Along with 24 Members of Congress Urging ICE to Respond to Concerns of COVID-19 Spreading at Detention Centers and Treatment of Detainees
Washington, D.C. (April 23, 2020) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), released the following statement after sending a letter, along with 24 other members of Congress, addressed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning the increase in COVID-19 cases within their facilities and alleged inhumane treatment of detainees. “I led a letter demanding that DHS and ICE address alarming reports of inhumane treatment of detainees. We expressed … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Rep. Juan Vargas Votes for Interim Emergency Funding Legislation for Small Businesses, Hospitals, and Testing
Washington, D.C. (April 23, 2020) Rep. Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after voting for an interim emergency funding package for small businesses, hospitals, and testing, that Congress passed today. “I’m glad to see this piece of legislation passed quickly, which includes $360 billion in additional funding for small businesses relief. More importantly, $30 billion of these funds are reserved for community-based lenders, small banks, and credit unions, ensuring that … Continue Reading
April 21, 2020
Rep. Vargas Visits Otay Mesa Detention Center in Response to Growing Concerns of COVID-19 Spreading at Detention Centers
Chula Vista, CA (April 21, 2020) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), released the following statement after visiting Otay Mesa Detention Center to address the increase in COVID-19 cases within their facilities and alleged inhumane treatment of detainees. “In the last couple of weeks, I led several letters demanding that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) address alarming developments in COVID-19 cases at detention centers. I also expressed … Continue Reading
April 10, 2020
Rep. Vargas Urges ICE and CoreCivic to Immediately Stop Cohorting at Detention Centers
Washington, D.C. (April 10, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after sending a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and CoreCivic, which manages the Otay Mesa Detention Center, in response to the San Diego Union-Tribune story that ICE is keeping detainees, potentially exposed to the virus, in a “cohort.” According to the article, the practice of cohorting forces detainees exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual to remain in the same pod until … Continue Reading
April 09, 2020
Rep. Vargas Urging President Trump to Stop Border Wall Construction
Washington, D.C. (April 9, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after joining his colleagues to send a letter to the White House and Trump administration requesting that border wall construction come to a halt in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “This week I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to the White House and the administration to stop all border wall construction in the best interest of construction workers, their families, and our border … Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Rep. Vargas Requests Release of Nonviolent Detainees to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 at Detention Centers
Washington, D.C. (April 7, 2020) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after sending a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) asking them to report on measures implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their detention facilities, and requested the release of nonviolent detainees. “As we know, COVID-19 is extremely contagious, and in some cases fatal. I sent a letter to confirm that ICE and CoreCivic are doing everything possible to … Continue Reading
March 27, 2020
Rep. Vargas Releases Statement on Passage of Historic Families & Workers-First Coronavirus Legislation
Washington, D.C. (March 27, 2020) Rep. Vargas released the following statement after the passage of historic Families and Workers-First legislation, which was signed into law today. “I am proud to support this historic piece of legislation, which will bring urgently needed relief to families and small businesses across the nation, including in our great state of California. Our country is suffering from an unprecedented pandemic; we must ensure that every possible resource is dedicated … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Rep. Vargas' Bill Included as a Provision in the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act
Washington, D.C. (March 24, 2020) - Today, Rep. Vargas’ (CA-51) bill was included as a provision in the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, a bold and comprehensive phase three coronavirus response bill that would provide more than $2.5 trillion for the American economy. “I'm very pleased to see my legislation was included as a provision in the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act,” said Rep. Vargas. “This provision would authorize an additional $3 billion under … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Rep Vargas Introduces Bill to Provide $3 Billion for Urgent Medical Supplies to Combat COVID-19
Washington, D.C. (March 23, 2020) -Rep. Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after introducing a bill to increase the amount of authorized funds for the Defense Production Act. The Defense Production Act allows the President to incentivize and direct greater production of materials needed to address a national emergency, and currently authorizes $133 million per fiscal year to that end. The bill will increase the authorization for the Act by $3 billion, in response to the … Continue Reading