Press Releases
Rep. Juan Vargas’ Homeownership for Dreamers Act Passes Out of House Financial Services Committee
WASHINGTON D.C. (June 12, 2019) - Today, Rep. Vargas’ Homeownership for Dreamers Act (H.R. 3154) passed out of the Committee on Financial Services. The bill aims to clarify that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries are eligible for Federal Housing Administration home loans, including those backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and U.S. Department of Agriculture. “We cannot allow mortgage lenders to continue to discriminate against Dreamers. Like any other young person … Continue Reading
June 07, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas and Chairman Mark Takano Demand Answers Following GAO Report on the Deportation of U.S. Military Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 7, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), Chairman of House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, authored a letter to Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Mark Morgan following a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report’s findings on the issue of the deportation of U.S. military veterans, as reported by CNN. The report found that ICE has not been following existing policies for non-citizen veterans who may be subject to … Continue Reading
June 06, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Introduces the Homeownership for Dreamers Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 6, 2019) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) led the introduction of H.R. 3154, the Homeownership for Dreamers Act. The bill aims to clarify that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries are eligible for Federal Housing Administration home loans, home loans backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and Rural Housing home loans. “The Trump administration is quietly forcing mortgage lenders to unjustly deny Dreamers home loans. H.R. 3154 will correct this … Continue Reading
May 31, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Responds to Trump’s Tariffs on Mexican Imports Announcement
SAN DIEGO, CA (May 31, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement to impose a 5 percent tariff on all goods from Mexico starting on June 10: “President Trump’s approach to trade is as irresponsible as his failing immigration policies. Weaponizing tariffs against one of our largest trading partners to further his anti-immigrant agenda is reckless. The humanitarian challenges we are facing along the southern border are a direct result … Continue Reading
May 29, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Statement on Special Counsel Mueller’s Press Conference
SAN DIEGO, CA (May 29, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas issued the following statement in response to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s press conference: “Today, Special Counsel Robert Mueller reaffirmed two key points from his report: Russia systematically attempted to interfere with our election and Mueller was prohibited from charging President Trump with a crime. The Special Counsel’s report clearly outlines 11 instances in which President Trump deliberately tried to obstruct justice. The … Continue Reading
May 28, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Joins Effort to Reimburse Southern Border Communities Providing Humanitarian Relief
Washington, D.C. (May 28, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) joined a letter led by Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Xochitl Torres Small (NM-20), to the House Appropriations Committee leadership requesting increased federal funding for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s State and Local Programs for each border state. In addition, the letter requests a legislative provision to allow for reimbursements to local governments and non-governmental organizations … Continue Reading
May 01, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Leads Effort to Fund U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 1, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas is leading a funding request for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program and the EPA’s Office of International and Tribal Affairs, which supports vital programs, including the Border 2020 environmental program. These programs are critical to protecting public health and improving wastewater infrastructure on both sides of the border. “We have a real environmental crisis in our border region … Continue Reading
April 27, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Statement on Synagogue Shooting in Poway
SAN DIEGO, CA (April 27, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement regarding the tragic shooting at Congregation Chabad in Poway, California: “Today, as our Jewish brothers and sisters around the world celebrate the end of Passover, senseless tragedy has struck our community. I am sickened to learn of the shooting at Congregation Chabad of Poway. My prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire Poway community. “Sadly, this shooting comes one month … Continue Reading
April 19, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Statement on Redacted Mueller Report
SAN DIEGO, CA (April 19, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas issued the following statement on the release of the redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report: “Despite Attorney General Barr’s several attempts to mislead the public, the Special Counsel did not exonerate President Trump from obstruction of justice claims. The heavily redacted report outlines multiple instances in which the President tried to block the investigation to hide the Trump Campaign’s willingness to benefit … Continue Reading
April 05, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Statement on Presidential Visit to Calexico
CALEXICO, CA. (April 5, 2019) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement regarding President Trump’s visit to Calexico, CA: “Let’s call today’s border visit what it was: a political stunt to rile up President Trump’s base. He came to Calexico to further rationalize his fake national emergency, and to perpetuate his hateful lies about immigrants. My district is home to a vibrant border region, full of hardworking families who deserve a president who supports them, not uses … Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Proudly Co-Sponsors the Dream and Promise Act
Washington, D.C. (March 12, 2019) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) joined Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Nydia Velazquez (NY-7), and Yvette Clarke (NY-9) as an original co-sponsor to introduce the Dream and Promise Act, H.R. 6. “Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients embody the very best of our American values. Today, Congress is taking the next step to help these hardworking individuals fully realize their American dream,” … Continue Reading
March 11, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Statement on Trump Budget Request
Washington, D.C. (March 11, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement regarding the President’s Budget for 2020: “The proposed 2020 budget is the product of the President’s distorted reality and lack of understanding of what our nation really needs. By reducing billions of dollars from essential programs that support working families and individuals struggling to get by, he and his Administration are putting the American people, along with our entire economic future, at … Continue Reading
March 01, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas on Border Prototype Demolition
San Diego, CA. (March 1, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement amid demolition of Trump border wall prototypes: “President Trump has wasted $5 million taxpayer dollars for border wall prototypes that had no other purpose than militaristic political theater. Instead of funding solutions to address our real border issues, millions of dollars are sitting in a pile of rubble in San Diego. The five million dollars could be going towards fixing our alarming environmental … Continue Reading
February 22, 2019
House Majority Leader Hoyer, Reps. Vargas, Peters, and Levin Witness Implementation of Flawed Asylum Policies
SAN YSIDRO, CA (February 22, 2019) — Today, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Congressmen Juan Vargas (CA-51), Scott Peters (CA-52), Mike Levin (CA-49) released the following statement after touring the San Ysidro Port of Entry and observing the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). “Today, we had the opportunity to visit the San Ysidro Port of Entry, where we viewed the recent infrastructure upgrades and were briefed on processing of asylum seekers. We also … Continue Reading
February 15, 2019
Reps. Vargas, Peters, and Davis Announce $15 Million for Border Water Infrastructure Program
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, U.S. Congressmembers Juan Vargas (CA-51), Scott Peters (CA-52), and Susan Davis (CA-53) released the following statement after $15 million was allocated to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) U.S. - Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program: “Through continued advocacy and prioritization, we have worked with our colleagues in both the House and Senate to address the ongoing sewage spills into the Tijuana River. The $15 million in funding signed into law … Continue Reading
February 15, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Announces $191 Million for Calexico Port of Entry
Washington, D.C. (February 15, 2019) — Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) announced that $191 million was approved for the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE) Reconfiguration and Expansion Project. With this additional funding, Rep. Vargas has secured more than $700 million for border infrastructure in his district since taking office in 2013. “This funding brings us one step closer to completing the Calexico LPOE project,” said Rep. Vargas. “When we invest in our border infrastructure, … Continue Reading
February 11, 2019
Rep. Vargas Statement on Anti-Semitic Comments of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
Washington, D.C. (February 11, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement regarding anti-Semitic comments made by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. “Anti-Semitism has no place in Congress or in the United States. We must call out bias, bigotry, and prejudice in all forms, especially from our leaders. It is disappointing that Congresswoman Omar’s online comments play into hurtful anti-Semitic tropes that misrepresent our Jewish community. “Israel has and remains a stalwart … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Rep. Vargas Reaction to State of the Union
Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement today regarding President Trump’s State of the Union address. “Once again, President Trump exploited another prime-time television spot to promote fearmongering and falsehoods. As California’s border representative, I had hoped he would have used this opportunity to highlight constructive ways to strengthen our nation. Unfortunately, he used flagrant examples to unfairly demonize immigrants and … Continue Reading
January 29, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Introduces Legislation to Recognize Barrio Logan’s Chicano Park as an Affiliated Site of the National Park System
Washington, D.C. (January 29, 2019)— Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) introduced Chicano Park Preservation Act of 2019 (H.R. 486). This bill instructs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a thorough study of Chicano Park to evaluate its national significance and determine the feasibility of the park becoming an Affiliated Site of the National Park System (NPS). As an Affiliated Site, the Park would continue to be managed outside of the NPS, but qualify as a National Historic Site for … Continue Reading
January 28, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas’ FIND Trafficking Act Passes in the House
Washington, D.C. (January 28, 2019)— Today, Rep. Juan Vargas’ bipartisan bill, the Fight Illicit Networks and Detect (FIND) Trafficking Act of 2019 (H.R. 502) passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan bill would require the Comptroller General of the United States to study how virtual currencies and online marketplaces are used to facilitate sex or drug trafficking and propose regulatory and legislative actions to put an end to these illicit activities. Through the … Continue Reading