Press Releases
Rep. Juan Vargas Blasts Changes to Limit Non-English Speakers’ Ability to Apply for Housing Finance Opportunities
SAN DIEGO, CA (August 12, 2019) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas issued the following statement in response to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) decision to remove a key language preference question from the redesigned Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA) which would have helped improve access to credit and the quality of servicing for borrowers whose first language is not English: “This is an unnecessary and irresponsible change that limits non-English speakers’ ability to … Continue Reading
July 22, 2019
San Diego Delegation Announces Tijuana River Valley Pollution Solution Bill Package
CHULA VISTA, CA. (July 22, 2019) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) along with Reps. Susan Davis (CA-53), Scott Peters (CA-52), and Mike Levin (CA-49), hosted a press conference to announce the introduction of their Tijuana River Valley Pollution Solution bill package. The combined legislation would further support mitigation efforts in the region. “We have an environmental crisis in San Diego. For years, the cross-border flows of wastewater, trash, and sediment coming from the Tijuana … Continue Reading
July 18, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Introduces Bill to Rename Brawley Post Office to Honor American Labor Activist, Helen Fabela Chávez
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 18, 2019) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) introduced a bipartisan bill to rename the U.S. Post Office located at 401 Main Street in Brawley, California, after American labor activist, Helen Fabela Chávez. The post office would be designated as the “Helen Fabela Chávez Memorial Post Office Building” in honor of the fearless organizer for her tireless work of pushing the labor movement forward, while supporting her growing family. “For far too long, women - especially … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Reacts to Trump Administration’s Third Country Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 16, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s new rule to deny asylum protections for those who transit through a third country to seek asylum in the United States: “The Trump administration’s latest move will effectively ban most asylum seekers - grossly betraying the founding principles of our great nation. Like all of the President’s immigration policies thus far, this new rule will be detrimental for children and … Continue Reading
June 26, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Secures $85 Million in Federal Funding for Calexico Port of Entry in House-Passed Appropriations Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 26, 2019) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) announced House passage of $85 million in federal funding he requested for the completion of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE) Reconfiguration and Expansion Project. With this additional funding, Rep. Vargas has secured more than $900 million for port of entry infrastructure in his district since taking office. “Throughout my congressional career, one of my top priorities has been funding our port of entry … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
House of Representatives Adopts Vargas Amendment to Affirm DREAMers Eligibility for FHA Backed Loans
WASHINTON, D.C. (June 24, 2019) - Today, the House of Representatives adopted Rep. Juan Vargas’ (CA-51) amendment to the fiscal year 2020 minibus funding bill. The amendment would prohibit any funds from being used to bar or limit Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries, “DREAMers,” from receiving mortgage loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) - solely on the basis of their status. Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-31) is a co-sponsor of the amendment. “Within … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas Leads Letter Urging HUD to Affirm DREAMers Eligibility for FHA Backed Mortgages
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 24, 2019) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) led a letter to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson, urging the agency to immediately reverse its interpretation of policy and reaffirm Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries’ eligibility to apply for mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). “I am deeply disappointed HUD has decided to block DACA beneficiaries from obtaining FHA-backed loans,” said Rep. … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
San Diego Congressional Delegation Amendment Directs EPA to Prioritize Border Environmental Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 20, 2019) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) along with the San Diego Congressional Delegation, Reps. Susan Davis (CA-53), Scott Peters (CA-52) and Mike Levin (CA-49) released the following statement applauding the inclusion of their amendment in the House-Passed Appropriations Package: “We are pleased that the House Appropriations Committee has included $30 million in Border Water Infrastructure Program (BWIP) funds - twice as much as last year. Our amendment will … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
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