Veronica Escobar

El Paso VA Medical Center Activation Readiness Act of 2026

in committee

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program of the Department of Homeland Security, to provide to individuals whose enrollment in a Trusted Traveler program is denied, suspended, or early terminated an option to appeal such denial, suspension, or early termination, as the case may be, and for other purposes.

in committee

El Paso Air Traffic Control Tower Modernization Act

in committee

“Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a remarkable artist, musician, and proud El Pasoan, Hal Marcus. For decades, Hal Marcus helped shape the artistic spirit of El Paso, leaving an indelible imprint through his creative works and the countless individuals and institutions he uplifted along the way. Hal brought joy, imagination, and a sense of possibility to those around him. His artistic contributions captured the essence of the borderland region with a distinctive and enduring style. As a steward of history, Hal was deeply devoted to preserving and promoting early regional art, helping elevate awareness of El Paso's rich cultural heritage, and ensuring future generations could learn from and be inspired by it. The passing of Hal Marcus is a profound loss for El Paso. Yet his legacy lives on in his beautiful and loving family, the vibrant cultural landscape he helped shape, the artists he inspired, and the community he brought together. May he rest in peace, and may his memory continue to inspire us all. ____________________”

2026-04-16 · Education

“Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary and enduring legacy of Carlos Spector, an El Paso native, Air Force veteran, immigration attorney, and human rights advocate, whose work changed the lives of countless families and redefined the meaning of justice along our border. Carlos was born in El Paso; he is the son of a Jewish father whose family fled the pogroms of Russia and a mother from Mexico. Since birth, he lived the reality of a border community, moving between cultures, languages, and histories that shaped his understanding of justice and belonging. He carried his identity proudly and understood his responsibility to steward the cultural heritages of his community. That responsibility--to defend the vulnerable and stand with those facing injustice--was instilled in him early. Stories from his father about the horrors of World War II and the moral obligation to defend others left an indelible impression on him. Those lessons would ultimately guide his life's work. After serving in the United States Air Force, Carlos returned to El Paso determined to find a way to use the law in service of others. He eventually attended Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he began to shape the philosophy that would define his career: that the law, at its highest calling, is not an instrument of power but a shield for the vulnerable. Carlos began practicing immigration law at a time when the legal system offered little hope for many seeking refuge. In 1991, Carlos won one of the first successful asylum cases for a Mexican political leader, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. immigration law and opening the door for others who faced persecution in their country of origin. But Carlos did not stop there. When the violence of the Mexican drug war intensified in the late 2000s, thousands of people fled north seeking safety. At the time, very few asylum claims from Mexican nationals succeeded in U.S. courts. Many attorneys refused to take such cases at all. Carlos did the opposite. Among those he represented were journalists threatened for exposing corruption, community activists targeted by criminal organizations, and families whose only crime was standing up for their communities. One of his clients, a community leader who had lost multiple family members to violence, later said that he and his remaining relatives were alive because of Carlos Spector's determination to defend them. Through these efforts, Carlos helped transform public understanding of the challenges unfolding along our border. He showed that the people seeking refuge were not statistics or political taking points--they were human beings whose lives, families, and futures were all at stake. Those who knew him recall that even during his battle with cancer, his first thoughts were not about himself but about the people he represented. After receiving his diagnosis, he immediately began contacting colleagues to ensure that the cases he had been working on would continue and that his clients would not be abandoned. That devotion to others defined him. Across the borderland and throughout this Nation, there are families who wake each morning in safety because one attorney refused to accept that their lives were beyond the protection of the law. Because of that belief, Carlos Spector did more than practice law. He expanded the boundaries of justice. He transformed the possibilities of asylum law. And he reminded us that we all have the power to protect our communities and shape a more just world. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Carlos Spector, a tireless advocate, a defender of human rights, and a proud son of El Paso whose impact will endure far beyond his lifetime. ____________________”

2026-03-04 · Immigration

“Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the grand opening of the Endeavors Health & Wellness Center in El Paso, Texas. Endeavors is a distinguished Texas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, caregivers, and their families through comprehensive housing, behavioral health care, wellness, and community support services. Endeavors has demonstrated commitment to the El Paso community through the establishment of the Endeavors Health & Wellness Center, a centrally located facility designed to expand access to integrated, whole-person care that complements and strengthens existing local, state, and federal resources. The Endeavors Health & Wellness Center in El Paso represents a significant investment in community care, strengthening El Paso's continuum of services through increased access to critical behavioral health resources, collaboration with local and national partners, and the promotion of dignity, resilience, and recovery among those who have served and sacrificed for others. This community-focused asset will undoubtedly help thousands of El Pasoans in need of support. I am grateful for Endeavors' commitment to care for veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, caregivers, and their families and look forward to continuing to collaborate for the greater good of so many. ____________________”

2025-11-04 · Veterans