Chuy García

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Grijalva).

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Barragan).

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Rivas).

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Brown).

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury)

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I now yield the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano).

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I now yield the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues from the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse to call out the many ways that Donald Trump's 2027 budget request will make life harder for our neighbors and constituents. I will start with the fact that families across the country are already hurting because of Republican policies. Last year, Trump's budget bill made drastic cuts to healthcare and food assistance, and 17 million people will lose healthcare coverage as a result. Yet, that wasn't enough for Trump because his 2027 budget proposal cuts even more. For example, the President's budget request eliminates $4 billion of affordable housing investments, wiping out programs that help families find housing, stay in their homes, and get back on their feet. My district has suffered from severe floods over the last 2 years, and some of my constituents were displaced from their homes. As rents rise, Trump wants to cut programs that are designed to help keep a roof over their heads. The President's budget also eliminates LIHEAP, a program that helps 5 million families afford their utility bills, leaving them unable to cool their homes in the summer or pay heating bills in the winter. When you combine that with surging prices at the gas pump because of Trump's illegal war with Iran, Trump is making the American people suffer twice. As if this wasn't bad enough, Trump's budget proposal also calls for deep cuts to food assistance like SNAP and WIC. These are programs that help mothers and young children afford fruits and vegetables. With all of these cuts, what is Trump increasing the budget for? One word: war. As he proposes to cut $73 billion for housing, food, education, and health, he is asking for $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon, a record- shattering amount that demonstrates just how detached Trump is from our constituents' needs and priorities. Trump started a cruel, illegal, deeply unpopular war that costs billions of dollars every day, sent gas prices skyrocketing, and triggered a global fuel crisis. This budget request would enable him to do more destruction with more money, while lining the pockets of his defense contractor friends. This makes us all less safe. Just last week, Trump said: ``It is not possible'' to help Americans afford healthcare or childcare because ``we are fighting wars.'' Through this budget request, Trump isn't just waging illegal wars abroad. He is waging war on working families here at home. I thank my colleagues for joining me to talk about how Trump's proposed budget request would make a tough situation even worse for working families. Mr. Speaker, I now yield the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse), the Assistant Democratic Leader.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong opposition to this bill. First of all, this bill and the substance of the bill, this dispute, is undergoing consideration by the international bodies established by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. We really should wait until a decision is arrived at with respect to that mechanism, but there are other considerations. First, let's consider other far-reaching implications. The bill gives the President the authority to prohibit vessels that travel through certain Western Hemisphere ports, which he designates, from entering U.S. waters. While supporters say that the bill is narrowly written to target a specific project in a specific country, the reality is that the President will be given broad authority that could be applied to other countries in the future. Let's not forget who we are talking about here. This is the same President who used military force in Venezuela to force regime change, the same President who is now engaging in an illegal war with Iran without even consulting Congress. Mr. Speaker, do we really want to entrust the President with this new authority granted under this bill? Equally damaging, the bill ignores the objections of local people fighting for their right to safe drinking water in a surrounding environment free of contamination. That is what is in the dispute resolution matter being addressed now. I have spoken to local community leaders who have suffered from the environmental damage caused by these mining operations. This bill limits the ability of foreign governments to adopt measures that protect their communities and their environment, essentially coercing those foreign governments to prioritize the interests of U.S. corporations over their people. We should not be legislating to hinder a foreign government's ability to protect its citizens from environmental harm. We should not be granting the President a new authority that could have broad foreign policy implications. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join with me and to vote ``no'' on this proposal.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Dexter and Tonko for shining a spotlight on the impact on children from the enforcement efforts of ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents. Here is what is happening in communities across the country: A 1- year-old baby and his parents are pepper-sprayed while driving to the grocery store. A high school student was zip-tied and detained on his way to school despite his U.S. citizenship, and he was detained for several days. Families with children were ripped out of bed in the dead of night, zip-tied, and detained after the apartments that they lived in were raided by agents using military helicopters, so Kristi Noem could get her videos. Children at a daycare were startled, scared, and traumatized by the armed agents bursting into their classrooms, chasing one of their teachers to abduct her. These scenes are not from a war zone. These are violent incidents that happened in Cicero, in Roscoe Village, in South Shore, and in my own neighborhood of Little Village in Chicagoland. Those were ICE and CBP agents, paid by our tax dollars, committing atrocities, targeting my constituents and their children because of the color of their skin or the places where their parents worked. More than 500 children were being held at the immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas, in January alone. Many for more than twice the 20 days that the law allows the government to hold children in detention. We have seen the pictures drawn by some of these children. Their letters longing for their friends, schools, and families, a return to normalcy. Then the administration took away their crayons and paper so that people outside the detention center wouldn't learn what was happening inside. Right now, two of my constituents are detained at Dilley, a mother and her 13-year-old son who were taken by ICE at a routine check-in appointment. Both had developed serious physical and mental issues, but ICE is denying them medical attention and medication. They are not the only ones. Children have suffered for months because of the abuses of ICE and CBP agents. Many of them may never overcome the trauma caused by their time in detention and the violent actions of our own government. The stories I shared are just some of the children we know about. There are hundreds of children terrorized by ICE who we don't know about. Mr. Speaker, I ask my Republican colleagues, what is the purpose of imprisoning innocent children? No moral or legal argument exists to justify imprisoning and neglecting children. I implore my Republican colleagues to care for these children as if they were our own. Anything less is inexcusable.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Arise Chicago, an organization founded by a coalition of religious leaders on the principle that all workers deserve dignity in the workplace. Its strategic vision includes effective education, advocacy efforts, and programs to empower workers to take action beyond their workplaces. Thanks to Arise Chicago's efforts, thousands of workers have recovered more than $10 million in stolen wages and compensation and increased their wages by over $6 million. In 2026, Arise continues to work to eradicate harassment and discrimination from the workplace, to ensure fair payment, and to educate immigrant workers about their rights in the midst of the anti- immigrant environment that our country is living in. I am grateful for Arise Chicago's work, and I look forward to continuing to partner with them.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate South Side native Mayda Del Valle, who has been named Chicago's next poet laureate. Mayda is a poet, educator, and interdisciplinary artist who will now serve as ambassador for our city's literary and creative communities. Rooted in her Puerto Rican diaspora, her work invites audiences to see themselves reflected on it. She challenges us to remember where we come from and imagine what we can build together. Mayda has been recognized as one of America's young innovators in the arts and sciences. She has performed on stages across the Nation. As a dedicated educator, Mayda has taught poetry in schools, colleges, and youth detention facilities, inspiring the next generation of artists. I congratulate Mayda on this extraordinary honor. Recognizing Arise Chicago on 35th Anniversary

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Gregorio Gomez Aguayo, a talented writer, poet, producer, and organizer. Gregorio has been nominated for the award of poet laureate of the State of Illinois twice and has been selected as part of Chicago's Newcity Lit 50, which highlights the city's 50 most influential people in Chicago in the literary scene. Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Gregorio has been a part of Chicago's artistic and spoken word community for almost 40 years. His poetry delves into themes of heritage, identity, and the human experience and navigates the duality of his Mexican roots and his American upbringing. Last weekend, in Chicago, Gregorio presented his most recent poetry collection, ``Requiem: Journey Thru a Poetic Odyssey,'' and I can't wait to read all of it. I congratulate Gregorio on his new work. Recognizing Mayda Del Valle

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, April is Arab American Heritage Month, and I rise today to celebrate Little Palestine, a vibrant community in the southwest region of Cook County, in my district. In the early 20th century, families from the small Palestinian town of Betunia immigrated to Chicago, attracted by the city's prosperity. Many found jobs in hotels, restaurants, and factories. Many of their U.S.-born children proudly served in the military and served their country. This entrepreneurial community soon began to open up bakeries, restaurants, markets, and specialty fashion stores. Now, there are more than 200 Arab-owned businesses in Little Palestine. Little Palestine also has cultural centers, community service organizations, and mosques, contributing toward making it a close-knit community that honors the rich culture, heritage, and spirit of the Arab-American community. I am proud and grateful for the contributions that the families, businesses, and cultural centers of Little Palestine bring to my district and to Chicagoland. Honoring Poet Gregorio Gomez Aguayo

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the price of groceries keeps going up. Starting this week, 4 million people per month will be pushed off their food stamps. In Illinois alone, 360,000 people will lose those benefits. All due to cuts from the big, ugly bill. Americans are being forced to go hungry so the President can pay for his terror campaign in our cities. Children, people with disabilities, and veterans will lose their ability to put food on the table. Food pantries are already seeing longer lines for services. Local grocers warn that this will impact them, too, as people will be unable to shop for food. SNAP benefits are not just a safety net. They also foster economic activity and community stability. The President has made his priorities clear by cutting food assistance for millions of Americans to fund his agenda, while families are pushed closer to hunger. They can lie, tell us to ignore what we see and experience, but the American people will not forget.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Rick Garcia, a giant in the fight for equality in Illinois. I met Rick in the 1980s when being out, visible, and unapologetic came with real risk. We used to call each other primos or cousins because we shared the same last name. Rick believed that change didn't happen by accident and worked across political, religious, and community lines to build unlikely coalitions. He helped pass Illinois' landmark ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation. As a cofounder of Equality Illinois, Rick fought to ensure that love and identity are never grounds for discrimination. Rick's legacy lives on in the movement he helped build and the laws he helped pass, which are now as important as ever. May we honor his legacy in action. May Rick rest in power. Losing Benefits

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today we honor the spirit of a son of Chicago whose game carried the heartbeat of a city, Derrick Rose. From the blacktops of Englewood to the bright lights of the United Center, Rose showed not only talent, but will and determination. He played basketball the way that Chicago lives: fast, fearless, and unafraid of the hard road. As the youngest MVP in NBA history, Derrick Rose attacked the lane like it owed him something, lifting up the franchise and a fan base that saw itself in his humility. He never asked to be a sports hero, yet he became one with a quiet grace that spoke louder than the celebration. Then came the injuries, but Derrick Rose came back again and again, teaching young people that setbacks do not cancel destiny. Derrick Rose reminded Chicagoans and this Nation that even when you fall, you rise. For that we honor not just the basketball player but a symbol of enduring American grit.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today with both anger and urgency. What we are witnessing in this country is not law enforcement. It is violence followed by lies. It is authority without accountability. Since Trump returned to power, at least 36 people have died in ICE custody, and 2 have been shot and killed by ICE agents. These are not just numbers. They are lives, people with families. We must say their names, tell their stories, and stop state-sanctioned violence. Last week in Minneapolis, a 37-year-old American mother, Renee Good, was killed by an ICE agent. It was caught on video for the world to see. Almost immediately, the lies began. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said that Renee Good posed an imminent threat, even floating the words ``domestic terrorism.'' Yet, the facts don't back this up. Eyewitnesses don't back this up. The video doesn't back up the lies repeated by DHS immediately after the killing. State law enforcement in Minnesota have been blocked from the vehicle where Renee was killed because the FBI sealed it off, blocking transparency and accountability. Renee Good's murder is not an isolated incident. In my community, we know this pattern all too well. In September, Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, a father of two, was killed by ICE on the side of a road in my district after dropping off his kids at school. Right on cue, we got the same script: immediate vague allegations by DHS, lies instead of facts, no transparency, no accountability, and no respect for the family left behind. There was also Marimar Martinez, another constituent. An ICE agent shot her five times and then arrested her. ICE leveled serious criminal accusations to justify it. Later, quietly, those charges were dropped. Why? It was because they were lies, but the damage was done. Her name was dragged through the mud. Her family was terrorized. Her community is still shaken. This was how a teacher in our community was victimized, and it didn't stop there. Juan Espinoza Martinez, also from my district, was accused of serious conspiracy to commit crimes that never happened. ICE made them up and publicly smeared his name. Those charges were dropped as well because they were false. There was no apology, no discipline, and no consequences. ICE acts first and then lies. The lie sets the frame. The truth is forced to play defense. In 2025, Republicans gave ICE $75 billion, a nearly 300 percent increase in its annual budget, at the same time that they stripped millions of Americans of their healthcare. Republicans now want to give ICE and Border Patrol even more money. We are asked to fund an agency that does the following: sends masked agents into communities like my neighborhood to use loaded guns and tear gas against our neighbors. It arrests people without warrants. It engages in obscene racial profiling and discrimination that communities see clearly, even when Washington looks away. It stops Members of Congress from inspecting detention centers, which is their duty as a coequal branch of government. These facts should outrage every Member of this House. If you believe in the rule of law, you should be furious. If you believe in congressional oversight, you should be furious. If you believe that Federal agencies should not lie to justify violence, you should be furious because when an agency lies to the public, lies to the courts, and lies to Congress, they are spitting in our faces. This is not about being for or against immigration enforcement. This is about whether we tolerate violence followed by coverups. This is about whether or not we accept fabricated charges as a means of intimidation.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Food Market La Chiquita on their 40th anniversary. In 1986, Alfredo Linares, an immigrant from Mexico, took a chance. He got a loan and bought a corner store in my neighborhood of Little Village. Four decades later, you can find La Chiquita stores throughout the metro Chicago area, and it continues to be a family-owned business that makes each customer feel welcome and part of the family. When you walk into any of their stores, you are greeted by the vibrant colors of the fresh produce and the unmistakable aromas coming from the kitchen, an invitation not just to shop but to feel at home. It is almost impossible to go shopping and not get some tacos from La Chiquita's in-store restaurants. Some days, you will find me chowing down on a torta and chatting with constituents on their break from work. The secret to their success is simple but powerful: high-quality products, exceptional service for their customers, and a deep understanding of the community. I look forward to many more decades of success for La Chiquita. I congratulate them.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Carl Rosen, one of the legendary architects of working-class power in Chicago. As president of the United Electrical Workers, Carl has always understood that power is never given. It is organized, disciplined, and won. From the shop floor to the ballot box, he has been instrumental in building real power for working-class communities. A master tactician and negotiator, he knows when to apply pressure, when to build alliances, and when to move decisively. From the Republic Windows fight to other moments that shaped Chicago's political order, Carl has been a steady presence, helping working people secure monumental victories. I am proud to call Carl a friend and one of my closest and most trusted advisers. To some, he is a strategist, and to others, he is an organizer. I think he is a faithful interpreter of working-class power and a whisperer of the proletariat. To Carl, here is to our legacy years.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the Trump administration's outrageous overreach on immigration that is tearing families apart in my district and around the country. Since taking office, Trump has declared war on our communities. Masked ICE and CBP thugs--I call them thugs because they don't identify themselves. In our State, police officers, law enforcement, always identify themselves. They have detained parents on their way to work. They have kidnapped U.S. citizens. They have tear-gassed people, including children. They have deployed the National Guard to our cities and terrorized hardworking immigrants who are following the rules, all without warning, charges, or due process. This administration is abusing its power to trample on the Constitution and our civil rights. Federal agents have shot two of my constituents, one fatally. In the other, when they brought about charges, the case fell apart and the charges were dropped. That case was alluded to earlier in this presentation. When agents show up in schools, hospitals, or factories without clear authority or regard for court orders, they send a message to everyone that their rights are conditional. When agents run into a daycare center and drag out a teacher in front of the children and parents, they are not following the law. They are using gestapo tactics. None of this is about public safety. More than 4,000 people have been arrested by Federal agents in Chicago, but only about 3 percent have any type of criminal records. When the government goes after people just because of the color of their skin or the jobs that they hold, they are not going after criminals. They are clearly using racial profiling to meet the arbitrary detention quotas they have been given. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus are standing up for the people. We are calling for transparency, tracking every incident, and working on laws to curb unchecked power and to restore our constitutional rights. In the Fourth District and across the country, every family deserves to feel safe and respected, knowing that their government is there to protect their rights and uphold the law. We intend to hold this administration accountable when they don't, every single time.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as the year comes to an end, I join Leyden Township in Cook County, Illinois, in celebration of the 175th anniversary of its establishment. In addition to the unincorporated areas, the Leyden Township borders include part of Rosemont, Schiller Park, Franklin Park, part of Northlake, River Grove, Elmwood Park, parts of Melrose Park, Park Ridge, the most western part of Norridge and Bensenville, east of County Line Road. Leyden Township is a place where neighbors care about each other and love spending time getting to know each other. You just have to attend one of their bingo nights to understand what I mean. With more than 93,000 residents, Leyden Township takes care of their people. They have a pantry for those in need, a township handyman that provides free services for seniors, and a recreation department dedicated to building a stronger community through educational and recreational programming. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Leyden Township on its first 175 years.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Otis P. Graves Elementary School in my district. Its dual language model develops bilingual and biliterate students that can succeed and be proficient in English and Spanish, opening future opportunities in an increasingly global society. Even through the challenging moments our community has faced this year, this school has remained a safe and welcoming place for all kids and has promoted and instilled a love of learning. No matter what may be happening at home or in the world, these kids know that they can come here to learn and feel supported. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent them in Congress, and I applaud the teachers, staff, administrators, and families that have helped build this milestone. Congratulations to Otis P. Graves, and here is to 100 more years. 175th Anniversary of Leyden Township

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 20th anniversary of New Life Centers, an organization that I am proud to represent in my district. Led by Pastor Matt DeMateo, New Life Centers started as a small group working on community violence intervention programs and is now a citywide movement providing our youth with mentoring, education, sports, play, summer day camps, after-school, and peacemaking programs. Its community-based, hands-on approach has played a key role in driving down gun violence in our neighborhood of Little Village. New Life Centers Community Care programs also serve more than 45,000 individuals in need of housing, food, and other necessities. Its Pan de Vida Fresh Market distributes food to more than 35,000 individuals per year, filling the gaps that the funding cuts to Federal nutrition programs have created. When Operation Midway Blitz brought chaos and pain to our community, Pastor Matt and New Life Centers responded by supporting immigrant families, taking food to their homes, and helping find loved ones that ICE had taken. Mr. Speaker, the work of New Life Centers helps strengthen our community through faith, hope, and healing. I look forward to many more years of partnerships to change the lives and change neighborhoods. Recognizing Otis P. Graves Elementary School