Press Releases
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Trump Executive Order Banning Immigrants from Census
Washington, D.C. (June 21, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to reports that the Trump administration is considering an executive order preventing undocumented individuals from being counted in the 2020 Census. “Ensuring that ALL individuals are counted in the Census is a bipartisan issue. The administration is threatening to distort the 2020 Census count with yet another anti-immigrant order. This is unconstitutional and completely … Continue Reading
July 21, 2020
REP. VARGAS’ COVID-19 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES ENHANCEMENT ACT INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
July 08, 2020
Rep. Vargas Sends Letter to DHS Inquiring About Kumeyaay Land Affected by Border Wall Construction
Washington, D.C. (July 7, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), released the following statement after sending a letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf concerning Kumeyaay land affected by border wall construction. The letter comes after several Kumeyaay members communicated their concerns regarding the desecration of Kumeyaay lands, artifacts, and fossils near Tierra Del Sol Road in Campo, California. “The Kumeyaay Tribal Nation has been a part … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Rep. Vargas’ California New River Restoration Act Included in Monumental Infrastructure Bill
Washington, D.C. (July 1, 2020) - Rep. Vargas’ (CA-51) California New River Restoration Act of 2020 was included as an amendment to H.R. 2 Invest in America Act, which passed the House today. The legislation will implement projects, plans, and initiatives for the restoration and protection of the New River in Imperial County. “I’m very pleased that language from my California New River Restoration Act of 2020 was included as an amendment to the Invest in America Act,” said Rep. Vargas. … Continue Reading
June 18, 2020
Rep. Vargas Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Protect DACA
Washington, D.C. (June 18, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling which protects the DACA program from ending. Specifically, the Supreme Court ruled that the means in which the Trump administration ended DACA was illegal under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). In addition, the 5-4 ruling allows DACA recipients, known as DREAMers, to continue renewing their DACA status, and allows eligible individuals to submit an … Continue Reading
June 12, 2020
Rep. Vargas Cosponsors Historical Justice in Policing Act of 2020 to End Police Brutality
San Diego, CA. (June 12, 2020) -Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) became a proud cosponsor of Justice in Policing Act of 2020, led by the Congressional Black Caucus, which aims to end police brutality in the United States. The act will establish new policing standards by banning chokeholds, ending no-knock warrants, and mandating law enforcement data collection, including body cameras and dashboard cameras. In addition, the transfer of military-grade equipment to state and local law enforcement … Continue Reading
June 09, 2020
Sen. Menendez, Reps. Vargas, Aguilar Lead Bicameral Request for an Investigation into HUD’s Policy Changes to Deny DACA Recipients FHA-Backed Mortgage Loans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development, along with U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-51) and Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-31), led a bicameral group of colleagues in requesting the Inspector General for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to open an investigation into whether the agency violated the Administrative … Continue Reading
June 05, 2020
Harris, Scanlon, Vargas Demand Answers on ICE & CBP Involvement in Policing Ongoing Protests
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) and Juan Vargas (D-CA) on Friday led 97 of their colleagues in a letter to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Matthew Albence demanding answers on the agencies’ involvement with the ongoing protests against police brutality in light of reports of law enforcement using force at protests and … Continue Reading
June 02, 2020
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