Press Releases
Castro Statement on SCOTUS Ruling on the President’s Proposed Transgender Military Ban
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Hispanic Caucus and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today released the following statement: “I’m deeply disappointed that the Supreme Court has allowed the President’s proposed transgender military ban to go into effect, impacting nearly 9,000 of our men and women in uniform. This policy proposal is discrimination at the highest levels against an already … Continue Reading
January 19, 2019
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Castro Response to President Trump’s Speech
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today issued the following statement after President Trump offered to end the government shutdown in exchange for $5.7 billion for President Trump’s border wall and temporary protection for some DACA and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients: “The President must reopen the government to allow federal workers to get back to work and support their families. After we have … Continue Reading
January 17, 2019
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Castro Statement on New Report of Thousands More Children Separated From Their Parents
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, which determined that thousands more children were separated from their parents than previously known. Specifically, this report found that HHS separated thousands of additional children before the public announcement of the zero-tolerance policy in April 2018 by … Continue Reading
January 15, 2019
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Castro Statement on Court Ruling on 2020 Census
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today released the following statement on the court ruling today that says U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross violated federal law in attempting to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census: “The Trump Administration is attempting to add a new citizenship question to the 2020 census to politically intimidate the immigrant community, and today’s court ruling against adding this … Continue Reading
January 14, 2019
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Castro Condemns Rep. Steve King’s Racist Comments
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Hispanic Caucus, today released the following statement in response to Iowa Congressman Steve King’s racist statements to the New York Times: “Over the years, Steve King has made increasingly more xenophobic and racist statements. King’s rhetoric, plus the President’s bigoted statements about immigrants, Native Americans, and people of color, engender a climate of racial and ethnic … Continue Reading
January 09, 2019
Chairman Castro Gives Reaction to President’s Address on Government Shutdown
- As Delivered - Click Here for Video - WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, last evening gave a quick reaction to the President’s government shutdown address on Facebook live. Following his reaction, he had a discussion with staff debunking some of the falsehoods the President claimed: “Hey everybody. Well, we’re still here at the office. We stayed late to watch President Trump’s address on the border wall. And I’m here with some … Continue Reading
January 09, 2019
Members of Congress: Systemic Failures Also Contributed to Felipe Gomez Alonzo’s Death
ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led a congressional delegation to Alamogordo Border Patrol Station to investigate the circumstances surrounding Felipe Gomez Alonzo’s death. He was joined by Congresswoman Xotchil Torres Small (NM-02); Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR); House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), House Democratic Policy and Communications Chair David Cicilline (RI-01), Congresswoman Grace F. … Continue Reading
January 08, 2019
Chairman Joaquin Castro Welcomes Newest Members to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
WASHINGTON—Today, Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued a statement welcoming the newest CHC members to the Caucus for the 116th Congress: “The 116th Congress’ Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) now consists of 38 total members—the largest class since our founding in 1976 nearly doubling the size of women in our ranks and welcoming some of Congress’ youngest in the Freshman class. We have a challenging session ahead, and I look forward to working alongside our entire … Continue Reading
January 08, 2019
Chairman Castro Statement on the Presidential Address on Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, released the following response to the President’s address tonight on the government shutdown: “The President’s address tonight offered no solutions to reopen the government and just continued to stoke fear about immigrant communities in this nation. Trump’s border wall will not prevent drugs entering through the ports of entry, nor does it adequately address the dire situation at the border. … Continue Reading
January 08, 2019
CHC Chair Castro Remarks Following Investigation Into Felipe Gomez Alonzo’s Death
- As Delivered - ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO—Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Hispanic Caucus, led a congressional delegation to Alamogordo Border Patrol Station to investigate the circumstances surrounding Felipe Gomez Alonzo’s death. He was joined by Congresswoman Xotchil Torres Small (NM-02); Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR); House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (NY-10), House Democratic Policy and Communications Chair David Cicilline (RI-01), Congresswoman Grace F. … Continue Reading
January 05, 2019
MEDIA ADVISORY: Democratic Members Investigate Circumstances Surrounding Felipe Gomez Alonzo’s Death in Alamogordo, Brief Press After
ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO—On Monday, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02) and Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Joaquin Castro (TX-20) will lead a delegation to Alamogordo, New Mexico to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Felipe Gomez Alonzo in U.S. CBP custody. Following the tour of the facility, the Members will brief the press on how these stations are equipped to protect the health and safety of those seeking refuge at our borders. WHO: Congresswoman … Continue Reading
January 04, 2019
Castro Reintroduces Bill to Protect Foreign Service Offices from Unauthorized Surveillance Through Consumer Devices
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, reintroduced the Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act (H.R.115). This bipartisan measure, which was authored with House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Michael T. McCaul (TX-20), requires the State Department to account for location-tracking consumer devices in … Continue Reading
January 03, 2019
Members to Pompeo: What Negotiations Led to Remain in Mexico Policy and Were They Bilateral?
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressman Eliot L. Engel (NY-10), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; and Congressman Albio Sires (NJ-08), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, called on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to release the text and details of the any arrangement between the United States and Mexico on … Continue Reading
December 27, 2018
Top House Democrats Call for Preservation of Records Related to Child Deaths in CBP Custody and Announce Plans for Oversight Hearings in 116th Congress
WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Chairman-Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House … Continue Reading
December 25, 2018
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Elect Castro Statement on Death of 8-Year-Old in Border Patrol Custody
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today made the following statement: “I’m deeply saddened by the death of 8-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez last night in U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) custody and offer my condolences to his family. While the CBP notified Congress within 24 hours as mandated by law, we must ensure that we treat migrants and asylum-seekers with human dignity and provide the necessary medical care to … Continue Reading
December 20, 2018
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Elect Castro Statement on DHS Decision to Make Migrants Wait in Mexico While Processing Asylum Claims
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today made the following statement: “This is the single biggest assault to date by this Administration on the world’s most vulnerable populations coming to America—legally—and in search of a better life. The decision to make migrants wait in Mexico while processing asylum claims only continues this Administration’s cruel policies to stem legal immigration to our nation. Further, the mechanics … Continue Reading
December 20, 2018
Castro Welcomes $1,170,081 to the Daughters of Charity Services for Expanding Access to Education
SAN ANTONIO—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today announces the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding the Daughters of Charity Services of San Antonio with a Head Start grant to support a Head Start and Early Head Start program on the Southside of San Antonio. “We know education is the surest path to … Continue Reading
December 20, 2018
Castro Welcomes $160,000 National Endowment for the Humanities Grants to UTSA, Our Lady of the Lake University
SAN ANTONIO—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today welcomed two awards from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for humanities projects focused on the creation of a digital archive of oral histories of women in the military and the role of public works in shaping municipal power in Spain led by professors at the University … Continue Reading
December 19, 2018
Members of Congress: Systemic Failures Contributed to Jakelin Caal’s Death
LORDSBURG, NEW MEXICO—Today, the Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led a delegation to Antelope Wells Port of Entry and Lordsburg Border Patrol Station to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin in U.S. CBP custody. Following their investigation of Jakelin’s journey, the Members briefed the press on how these stations are equipped to protect the health and safety of those seeking refuge at our … Continue Reading
December 19, 2018
Members of Congress Find Systemic Failures Contributed to Jakelin Caal’s Death, Transcript of Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Elect Castro Q&A with Press
—As Delivered—Click Here for Video— LORDSBURG, NEW MEXICO—Today, the Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led a delegation to the Antelope Wells Port of Entry and Lordsburg Border Patrol Station to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody. Following their investigation of Jakelin’s journey, the Members briefed the press on how these holding … Continue Reading