Press Releases
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
December 19, 2018
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Elect Castro Remarks Following Investigation of Jakelin Caal’s Death
—As Delivered—Click Here for Video— LORDSBURG, NEW MEXICO—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today made the following remarks after visiting the Antelope Wells Port of Entry and the Lordsburg Border Patrol Station where Jakelin Caal entered the U.S. and was held in Customs and Border Protection Custody prior to her tragic death on December 8th: “…by having CBP agents positioned at ports of entry, and metering or disallowing certain … Continue Reading
December 14, 2018
NM, TX Lawmakers Demand Answers on Death of 7-Year-Old Migrant Child in CBP Custody
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas) and Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) wrote to leadership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) demanding an immediate investigation into the tragic death of a 7-year-old girl from Guatemala who died on December 8, 2018, after being taken into custody with her father … Continue Reading
December 14, 2018
Senior House Democrats Send Letter to DHS Inspector General Demanding Answers in Tragedy of 7-Year-Old Girl Who Died in Customs and Border Protection Custody
WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, led a letter signed by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland … Continue Reading
December 13, 2018
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Elect Castro Statement on Reports of Child Death in Border Patrol Custody
WASHINGTON-Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, this evening released the following statement: “I am devastated by reports of a seven-year-old girl who had been taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection who died due to dehydration and exhaustion. I will be asking the Inspector General and Congress to conduct a full investigation into the conditions and circumstances that led to her death. “We can and must do better as a … Continue Reading
December 12, 2018
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Elect Castro Statement on Trump’s Shutdown Remarks
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman-Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), today made the following statement in response the President’s shutdown remarks: “Americans don’t want a border wall, nor do they want to see our government shutdown. We’ve offered bipartisan compromises that could pass both chambers. Instead of pursuing partisan promises, the President should stop undermining our country’s ability to perform vital functions and agree to the proposals … Continue Reading
December 12, 2018
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman-Elect and Luján Question Trump Administration's Actions In Removing Latino Engagement Document Before Open Enrollment Period
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman-Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus joined Congressman Ben Ray Luján (NM-03) in sending a letter this week demanding an explanation from the Administration on reports that they had removed a document titled “Marketplace Outreach: Best Practices for Outreach to Latino Communities” from its Health Insurance Marketplace website. The removed PDF was a slide presentation intended as a training resource for assisters. It focused on the … Continue Reading
December 11, 2018
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Opposes Public Charge Rule
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman-Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and 25 CHC members submitted a comment opposing the proposed rulemaking changes to the “public charge” rule. In a letter to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office of Policy and Strategy Chief Samantha Deshommes, the Members highlighted that redefining public charge would harm immigrant families, pit survival of families against the hope for … Continue Reading
December 07, 2018
Castro, Cummings, Thompson, Nadler Ask DHS OIG to Investigate Toddler Death Shortly After Release From a Texas Detention Center
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee; Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee; and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, today called on the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector … Continue Reading