Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Issues Statement Condemning Reports that ICE Flew Detainees to Virginia to Transport Agents for the Purpose of Quelling D.C. Protests During the Summer

Houston, TX – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) issued the following statement condemning reports that ICE flew detainees to Virginia to transport agents for the purpose of quelling D.C. protests during the summer:

"This is yet another example of the Trump Administration's utter disregard for the safety and well-being of human beings. Although the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims that ‘during COVID-19, the agency has taken steps to protect detainees in its custody and promote social distancing whenever possible,' their actions speak louder than words. It appears this decision to transport detainees to Virginia was politically motivated, which resulted in a COVID-19 outbreak in an immigration facility in Farmville, VA that infected more than 300 detainees, one of whom died. There is no excuse for the Trump administration to fly immigrant detainees to Virginia to facilitate the rapid deployment of Homeland Security tactical teams to quell peaceful protests in Washington. The blatant disregard for safety to score political points could not be more clear, and it goes against our values as Americans."

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary and Financial Services Committees.