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Democratic

Sylvia Garcia

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.

Sylvia is a native of Palito Blanco, a South Texas farming community. The eighth of ten children, Congresswoman Garcia saw her parents struggle to raise her and her siblings. Congresswoman Garcia's parents taught her that with hard work and a good education she could accomplish anything. As a result of these lessons, Congresswoman Garcia dedicated herself to success at school. She earned a scholarship to Texas Woman's University in Denton, where she graduated with a degree in social work and political science. Congresswoman Garcia then received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, working several jobs to pay for her tuition. Just as her parents believed in her future, Congresswoman Garcia believes the children of Texas can do anything. Garcia has dedicated her life to her community and to public service. As a social worker and legal aid lawyer early in her professional career, she protected our community's most vulnerable, old and young, and ensured no one was forgotten.

IMMIGRATION REFORM

Congresswoman Garcia is a strong supporter of fair immigration laws and believes that Congress should work towards immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship and keeping families together. As a member of the Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, she is fighting for migrant families, asylum seekers, and the American people.

Texas’ 29th district consists of a vibrant immigrant community, with 77% of the district’s population identifying as Hispanic. The Congresswoman is working for immigrants within the community and at the border by supporting legislation that protects their rights and privileges.

  • Congresswoman Garcia introduced H.R. 4718, the Polling Access Safety Act of 2019 (PASA), which restricts ICE enforcement at polling locations to ensure eligible voters are not intimidated on election day.
  • She introduced H.R. 2763, the Keeping Families Together Act of 2019, which prohibits the eviction of mixed-status families in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing.
  • She also introduced H.R. 3563, the Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act, which prohibits the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from shackling pregnant women in its custody and set new standards of care and transparency for the treatment of pregnant women.
  • She voted for H.R. 6, the Dream and Promised Act, which passed the House in June 2019. This bill would protect Dreamers, as well as TPS and DED recipients, providing them with a legal pathway towards citizenship.
  • Lastly, she also supported the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which creates a reliable farm workforce and provides undocumented farmworkers with a pathway to citizenship.