Mr. Speaker, I rise today because we have all witnessed the brutality of ICE on the streets of America, and Members of Congress have witnessed that brutality behind the closed walls of detention centers across our Nation. ICE has become a rogue, abusive agency that should be disbanded. ICE agents are roving across our communities with impunity, killing people in cold blood, including U.S. citizens, while Donald Trump's cronies profit. These ICE agents have not gone rogue alone. The entire agency has gone rogue under the direction of Donald Trump and Stephen Miller.
2026 MidtermsSolid SeatD+100$286K raised
Joaquin Castro
Representative · Texas · Democrat
Joaquin Castro
House Floor
Recent comments in the House
Mr. Speaker, this bill is a bad idea. It tramples on the rights of Americans in order to protect a foreign government from the consequences of its own actions. Let me give you some context. The West Bank is currently experiencing the worst year of settler violence ever recorded. Israeli settlers have committed violence, terrorism, and many other things against Palestinians, with the goal of driving them out of the lands they have lived in for generations. It is an ethnic cleansing. They have assaulted and killed Palestinian Americans and laid siege to their homes.
Biography
Joaquin Castro, a former civil rights lawyer, represents Texas's 20th Congressional District, first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. He focuses on expanding access to healthcare, reforming immigration policies, and strengthening education. Castro authored the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act and serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees. He is known for amplifying the voices of diverse communities and advocating for fair representation, shaping policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of his San Antonio constituents.
Education
- J.D., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA2000
- B.A. in Political Science and Communications, Stanford University, Stanford, CA1996
Professional History
U.S. Representative
2013–PresentRepresented Texas's 20th congressional district for 7 terms.
State Representative, Texas House of Representatives (District 125)
2003–2013Represented the 125th district and served as vice chair of the Higher Education Committee and member of the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee, among other assignments.
Attorney, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Worked as a lawyer at the firm after graduating from Harvard Law School.
Co-founder, Private Law Firm
2005–Left Akin Gump in 2005 to start a law firm with his twin brother Julián Castro.
Policy Focus
International Affairs53%
Education13%
Immigration8%
Labor and Employment5%
Notable Legislation
Key legislative actions from Joaquin Castro's record in Congress.
Veterans' Education Benefits
Co-sponsored the Veterans Education Relief and Restoration Act to restore GI Bill benefits to veterans affected by school closures.
COVID-19 Relief for Minorities
Helped secure funding for COVID-19 testing and resources in underserved Latino and minority communities in Texas.
U.S.-Mexico Binational Affairs
Founded and chairs the Congressional U.S.-Mexico Interparliamentary Group to strengthen bilateral cooperation on trade and security.
San Antonio Infrastructure Funding
Secured federal funding for transportation and infrastructure improvements in the San Antonio region, including VIA Metropolitan Transit projects.
Committee Assignments
View details →- House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
- House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rep. Joaquin Castro FAQ
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