Press Releases
Reps. Vargas, Salazar, Gonzalez, Jackson Lee, Swalwell, McGovern Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Deported Veterans Gain Citizenship
WASHINGTON - Despite enlisting in our military and serving our country under the promise of gaining citizenship, many veterans that were honorably discharged have faced deportation and even been prevented from attending their own naturalization hearings. To help address this, U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), and James P. McGovern (MA-02) reintroduced the Strengthening Citizenship … Continue Reading
June 27, 2024
Representantes Vargas, Salazar, González, Jackson Lee, Swalwell, McGovern reintroducen legislación bipartidista para ayudar a los veteranos deportados conseguir ciudadanía
WASHINGTON - A pesar de alistarse en nuestro ejército y servir a nuestro país bajo la promesa de obtener ciudadanía, muchos veteranos que fueron dados de baja honorablemente se han enfrentado a deportación e incluso se les ha impedido asistir a sus propias audiencias de naturalización. Para ayudar a solucionar este problema, los Representantes de EE.UU. Juan Vargas (CA-52), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Vicente González (TX-34), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), y James P. … Continue Reading
June 25, 2024
Reps. Vargas, Peters Announce $5,000,000 for Port of San Diego Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Redevelopment
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Scott Peters (CA-50) announced $5,000,000 in federal grant funding for the Port of San Diego. This grant will help the Port continue their project to redevelop the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. “The Port of San Diego and its tenants are vital to our regional economy,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “This federal grant will help fund the next phase of modernization plans, designs, and permits for the critical redevelopment work taking … Continue Reading
June 25, 2024
Reps. Vargas, Castro, Jacobs, Peters Introduce Amendment to Bar DHS from Funding Shadow Units
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Scott Peters (CA-50) introduced an amendment to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from funding unsupervised “Shadow Units” or “Critical Incident Teams” within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This provision would prevent any future Administration from reinstating the independently operated Critical Incident Teams. “From reports of abuse of power to interfering with … Continue Reading
June 21, 2024
Reps. Vargas, Jacobs Meet with IBWC Commissioners, State and Local Officials to Receive Update on San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) met with U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) Commissioner María Elena Giner, Mexico IBWC Commissioner Adriana Reséndez Maldonado, Consul General of the U.S. in Tijuana Tom Reott, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego Alicia Kerber, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, and Baja California cabinet members to discuss the need for continued coordination between the United States and Mexico … Continue Reading
June 21, 2024
Representantes Vargas y Jacobs se reunieron con comisionados de la IBWC y funcionarios estatales y locales para recibir información actualizada sobre la construcción de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales de San Antonio de los Buenos
WASHINGTON - Ayer, los Representantes de EE.UU. Juan Vargas (CA-52) y Sara Jacobs (CA-51) se reunieron con la Comisionada de la Comisión Internacional de Límites y Aguas (IBWC) de EE.UU. María Elena Giner, la Comisionada de la IBWC de México Adriana Reséndez Maldonado, el Cónsul General de EE.UU. en Tijuana Tom Reott, la Cónsul General de México en San Diego Alicia Kerber y miembros del gabinete de Baja California para discutir la necesidad de continuar la coordinación entre Estados Unidos y … Continue Reading
June 18, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on Biden Executive Action to Keep Families Together
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) released the following statement on President Biden’s new actions to provide protections for non-citizen spouses of U.S. citizens and their non-citizen children who have lived in the United States for a decade and allow qualified college-educated Dreamers to obtain work visas. “As the proud son of Mexican immigrants who came to this country seeking better opportunities, I know that immigrants are integral to the fabric of our nation. They … Continue Reading
June 18, 2024
Declaración del Representante Vargas sobre la Acción Ejecutiva de Biden para Mantener a las Familias Unidas
WASHINGTON - El Representante de EE.UU. Juan Vargas (CA-52) emitió la siguiente declaración sobre las nuevas acciones del presidente Biden para proporcionar protección a los esposos de ciudadanos estadounidenses que no tienen la ciudadanía y a sus hijos que no tienen la ciudadanía y que han vivido en Estados Unidos durante una década, y permitirá a los Dreamers calificados con educación universitaria obtener visas de trabajo. “Como orgulloso hijo de inmigrantes mexicanos que vinieron a este … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Declaración del Rep. Vargas en el Duodécimo Aniversario de DACA
WASHINGTON - El Representante de los EE.UU. Juan Vargas (CA-52) emitió la siguiente declaración en el Duodécimo aniversario del anuncio del programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA) el sábado 15 de junio de 2024. “Desde 2012, DACA ha permitido a los Dreamers, que fueron traídos a los Estados Unidos cuando eran niños, poder trabajar, seguir una educación y contribuir con sus habilidades y talentos a nuestras comunidades. Para muchos Dreamers, Estados Unidos es el … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on 12th Anniversary of DACA
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) released the following statement on the 12th anniversary of the announcement of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on Saturday, June 15th, 2024. “Since 2012, DACA has allowed Dreamers, who were brought to the United States as children, to work, pursue an education, and contribute their skills and talents to our communities. For many Dreamers, America is the only country they’ve ever called home. But without … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Declaración del Representante Vargas sobre su voto en contra de la Ley de Autorización de Defensa Nacional
WASHINGTON - Hoy, el Representante de EE.UU. Juan Vargas (CA-52) votó en contra de la aprobación de la Ley de Autorización de Defensa Nacional (NDAA) para el año fiscal 2025. "Los republicanos de la Cámara de Representantes han elegido una vez más llenar la históricamente bipartidista NDAA con enmiendas demoledoras. En lugar de centrarse en ayudar a nuestras tropas y familias militares, este proyecto de ley prohíbe que los fondos se utilicen para combatir el cambio climático y ataca la salud … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on Voting Against the National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) voted against passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. “House Republicans have chosen yet again to fill the historically bipartisan NDAA with poison pills. Instead of focusing on helping our troops and military families, this bill prohibits funding from being used to combat climate change and attacks reproductive health care, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and LGBTQI+ rights. I can't support … Continue Reading
June 12, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on Philippine Independence Day
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) released the following statement celebrating Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2024. “I want to send my best wishes to everyone celebrating the 126th Philippine Independence Day here in the United States, in the Philippines, and around the world. Our two nations share significant and enduring ties. More than four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans call the United States home, and their contributions, histories, and culture are … Continue Reading
June 10, 2024
Rep. Vargas, Colleagues Support Department of Education’s Efforts to Increase FAFSA Access and Urge Further Action to Address Delays
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined 65 of his colleagues in a letter expressing support for the U.S. Department of Education’s efforts to improve the rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The lawmakers also urged the Department of Education to expeditiously resolve remaining barriers to completing the FAFSA form and encouraged the Department of Education to implement reforms to prevent similar challenges from occurring in future … Continue Reading
June 07, 2024
Rep. Vargas Presses for Answers on Timeline for Reopening Friendship Park
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for answers on the timeline for reopening Friendship Park, which has long served as a bi-national meeting spot for friends and family along the U.S.-Mexico border. Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced plans to reopen Friendship Park and the Binational Friendship Garden once repairs were completed. However, construction has remained halted. “Friendship Park, … Continue Reading
June 07, 2024
El Representante Vargas Exige Respuestas Sobre el Plazo para la Reapertura del Parque de la Amistad
WASHINGTON - El Representante de EE.UU. Juan Vargas (CA-52) pidió al Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) respuestas sobre el plazo para la reapertura del Parque de la Amistad, que ha servido durante mucho tiempo como un punto de encuentro binacional para amigos y familiares a través de la frontera entre EE.UU. y México. El año pasado, el Servicio de Aduanas y Protección de Fronteras de Estados Unidos anunció planes para reabrir el Parque de la Amistad y el Jardín Binacional de la Amistad … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024
Representantes Vargas, Peters, Jacobs, y Levin Introducen una Enmienda para Establecer un Nuevo Programa Federal para Combatir la Contaminación del Valle del Río Tijuana
WASHINGTON - Representantes de los EE.UU. Juan Vargas (CA-52), Scott Peters (CA-50), Sara Jacobs (CA-51) y Mike Levin (CA-49) presentaron una enmienda a la Ley de Autorización de Defensa Nacional 2024 (NDAA) para ayudar a combatir la contaminación tóxica causada por aguas residuales en el Valle del Río Tijuana. Esta enmienda establecería un nuevo programa federal - el Programa de Restauración de la Calidad del Agua y la Salud Pública en relación al Río Tijuana - para planificar, coordinar y … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024
Reps. Vargas, Peters, Jacobs, Levin Introduce Amendment to Establish a New Federal Program to Combat Tijuana River Valley Pollution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), Scott Peters (CA-50), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced an amendment to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to help combat toxic sewage pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. This amendment would establish a new federal program - the Tijuana River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program - to plan, coordinate, and provide grants for public health and water quality restoration projects in the … Continue Reading
May 30, 2024
Reps. Vargas, Castro, Jacobs, Peters Call on Border Patrol for Answers on New “Shadow Units” Report
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Scott Peters (CA-50) called for answers on “Shadow Units” or “Critical Incident Teams” within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) following a new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO report confirms that these units were widespread - used in seven of nine U.S. Border Patrol sectors, including San Diego, on the southwest border - and operated for years … Continue Reading
May 20, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on the Warrant Applications by the ICC
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) released the following statement on the International Criminal Court application for arrest warrants for top Israeli officials. “The International Criminal Court’s efforts to seek arrest warrants for democratically elected Israeli leaders is outrageous and shameful. I join President Joe Biden in condemning in the strongest possible terms any equivalence between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organization that is dedicated to the … Continue Reading