Press Releases
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The representative wrote the letter in response to local news reports that detainees, potentially exposed to COVID-19, are being placed in cohorts
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.”
The Congressman requests for the President to prioritize resources to combat the spread of COVID-19
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.
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.
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.