Press Releases
Rep. Juan Vargas’ Statement on Supreme Court Decision to End Census Count Early
Washington, D.C. (October 14, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to grant the administration’s request to halt Census counting before October 31. “The U.S. Supreme Court decision to end the Census 2020 count early will impact our communities for at least a decade. As it is, the Census 2020 count faced many challenges this year—from the COVID-19 pandemic to interference from the Trump Administration. This … Continue Reading
October 06, 2020
REP. VARGAS SENDS LETTER TO IMPERIAL COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ADDRESSING FEDERAL NEW RIVER AND SALTON SEA MITIGATION EFFORTS
Imperial County, CA (October 6, 2020) Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement after sending a letter to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors updating them on important legislation on the New River and Salton Sea. The letter also highlights collaboration opportunities to address cross border pollution at a local, state and federal level. “My colleagues in Congress and I have and will continue fighting for additional funding and federal resources needed to mitigate cross border … Continue Reading
September 26, 2020
REP. JUAN VARGAS JOINS CHC IN ICE DETENTION CENTER TOUR FOLLOWING WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS
Washington, D.C. (September 26, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released a statement following his tour of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, alongside Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) members and members of the House Judiciary Committee. The tour comes after multiple immigrant women in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody were allegedly coerced into undergoing medical procedures, including hysterectomies. "I demand … Continue Reading
September 25, 2020
Rep. Vargas Sends Letter to U.S. Department of State, EPA, and IBWC in Response to Latest Spill into New River
Washington, D.C. (September 25, 2020) Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement after sending a letter to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) in response to the latest spill of untreated water into the New River, which occurred on Friday, September 18, 2020. Nearly one million gallons of cross border sewage was released into the New River. The New River begins in Mexico and flows northward … Continue Reading
September 17, 2020
Rep. Juan Vargas’ Statement on ICE Nurse Whistleblower Complaint
Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after a nurse, employed at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, filed a whistleblower complaint stating that immigrant women in ICE custody were coerced into undergoing medical procedures, including hysterectomies. "I'm appalled with the horrific accusations of human rights violations of women in ICE custody. This behavior is a dark reminder of our country's … Continue Reading
August 25, 2020
REP. JUAN VARGAS’ STATEMENT ON 10-HOUR BORDER WAIT TIME REPORTS DUE TO RECENT CBP OPERATIONAL CHANGES
San Diego, CA (August 25, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to San Diego Union Tribune reporting up to 10 hours in border crossing wait times. Last week, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) made operational changes at San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and Calexico West Land Ports of Entry in efforts to discourage leisure travelers from traveling to and from Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic. The operational changes, however, more than double the average wait … Continue Reading
August 24, 2020
REP. JUAN VARGAS’ STATEMENT ON THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PORT OF ENTRY WAIT TIMES CREATED BY CBP OPERATIONAL CHANGES
San Diego, CA (August 24, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operational changes causing significant increases in wait times at San Ysidro (SYPOE), Otay Mesa and Calexico West Land Ports of Entry. "This morning, we are hearing reports that operational changes at ports of entry across my district are causing more than double the average wait time for essential travelers crossing the U.S.-Mexico … Continue Reading
August 19, 2020
REP. JUAN VARGAS’ STATEMENT ON TRUMP'S ATTACKS ON POSTAL SERVICE AND TEMPORARY POLICY REVERSAL
Washington, D.C. (August 19, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s attempts to manipulate the elections and their temporary reversal of U.S. Postal Service policies under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “Having a reliable, efficient, and fully-funded U.S. Postal Service has never been more important. Trump's actions are an attack on our democracy and a threat to the lives and livelihood of the American people. … Continue Reading
August 07, 2020
REPS. VARGAS, DAVIS, PETERS, RUIZ, AND LEVIN INTRODUCE BORDER WATER QUALITY RESTORATION AND PROTECTION ACT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Washington, D.C. (August 7, 2020) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), along with Reps. Davis (CA-53), Peters (CA-52), Ruiz (CA-36), and Levin (CA-49), introduced the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2020, a companion bill to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) legislation introduced on July 29, 2020. The legislation will address pollution along the U.S.-Mexico border and help improve the water quality of the Tijuana River and New River. The bill will designate the … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
REP. VARGAS SENDS LETTER TO NAVY ADDRESSING USS BONHOMME RICHARD FIRE AIR QUALITY IMPACTS
Washington, D.C. (July 31, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after sending a letter addressed to Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth J. Braithwaite, concerning the burning of the USS Bonhomme Richard and how it impacted Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, National City and the surrounding communities. On July 12, 2020, the USS Bonhomme Richard experienced an explosion causing a fire aboard the ship. As a result, smoke impacted the air quality in the surrounding … Continue Reading
July 29, 2020
REPS. VARGAS AND RUIZ’S SALTON SEA RESTORATION LANGUAGE INCLUDED IN WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT
Washington, D.C. (July 29, 2020) - Today, language submitted by Reps. Vargas (CA-51) and Ruiz (CA-36) was included in the Water Resources Development Act for Salton Sea restoration efforts. The legislation will help carry out water resource development projects and a study for the construction of a perimeter lake to restore the Salton Sea. “I’m very pleased that our language was included in the Water Resources Development Act,” said Rep. Vargas. “There is a dire need for critical … Continue Reading
July 28, 2020
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Administration's Attempt to Roll Back Supreme Court DACA Decision
Washington, D.C. (July 28, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a memo indicating that the Trump administration will not accept any new DACA applications. In addition, the memo states that renewals for current DACA recipients will be limited to one year, as opposed to two. This comes after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling indicating that the means in which the Trump administration ended DACA was illegal … Continue Reading
July 21, 2020
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