Press Releases
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has introduced legislation aimed at protecting immigrant families from fraudulent "Notarios", public notaries who do not have law degrees, but provide advice on the federal immigration system and often assist immigrants in filling out forms as they pursue visas, work permits and status adjustments.
Washington, DC – Today, three key federal lawmakers wrote to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), calling for the utility to incorporate renewable energy sources as the beleaguered Island's energy production and distribution systems are modernized.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement today calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has authored legislation to make federal food benefits in Puerto Rico available as cash immediately in the event of another major natural disaster. Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, all of Puerto Rico lost access to electricity and telecommunications, resulting in widespread challenges for those looking to access Nutritional Assistance Program (NAP) benefits, which are currently distributed electronically.
Washington, DC –After the alarming detention of Pablo Villavicencio, a Brooklyn pizza delivery man, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and eleven other Members of Congress have sent two letters probing the circumstances of his arrest and asking for his release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. At Fort Hamilton Army Base simply to deliver a pizza, Villavicencio was subject to a background check by the guards and taken into ICE custody where he remains.
Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the passing of Dimitrios "Jim" Komninos, Woodhaven community member and husband of Lisa Komninos, President of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation.
"I grieve alongside the entire community of Woodhaven over the loss of Lisa's beloved husband and cherished community member, Jim. Tragically, Jim's death comes within weeks of the passing of Lisa's mother, Helen Grunseich.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement today after the House voted to pass the GOP Farm Bill.
"The passage of this morally bankrupt bill further exposes the steps that Republicans are willing to take to penalize the vulnerable. This bill's drastic cuts to SNAP would rip food from the mouths of babies, send kids to school with empty stomachs and punish hardworking families and seniors. For these reasons, I voted emphatically no.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement today regarding the President's separation of families policy:
"Donald Trump created a crisis with his new policy of detaining children and then claimed he needed Congress to solve it. Today, he signed an insufficient Executive Order, saying he's solved the problem. The Administration's cruelty and heartlessness is rivaled only by its inconsistency.
In era of Trump Cuts, Announces Bill to Expand Access to Music Education in Underserved Schools
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced today that she has officially cosponsored legislation, H.R. 6135, the "Keep Families Together Act," a measure to end family separation at the U.S. border. The bill is the House companion to legislation introduced by Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) earlier this month. Velázquez made the following remarks: