Vargas, Juan

Juan Vargas is a Democratic representative from California's 52nd Congressional District, which encompasses portions of San Diego County, all of Imperial County, and the entire U.S.-Mexico border. He was first elected to Congress in 2012 with over 70 percent of the vote and is currently serving his sixth term. Before his election to Congress, Vargas served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 to 2000, in the California State Assembly from 2000 to 2006, and in the California State Senate from 2010 to 2013.

Vargas brings a distinctive background to his legislative work. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of San Diego, a master's degree in humanities from Fordham University, and a law degree from Harvard Law School. As a young adult, he entered the Jesuits and worked with disadvantaged communities in El Salvador before leaving to pursue family life and a legal career. His parents immigrated from Mexico as part of the Bracero Program, and he was raised on a chicken ranch in National City.

In Congress, Vargas serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and its subcommittees on Capital Markets, Financial Institutions, and National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions. His legislative priorities reflect his district's needs and his personal values. He has sponsored numerous bills addressing immigration reform, border water quality, housing for immigrants, and financial sector oversight. Notable legislation includes the Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act, the Fed Integrity and Independence Act of 2025, and the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act. He has also worked on bills related to trafficking prevention and emergency relief, with some of his legislative language incorporated into major packages like the American Rescue Plan.