News from Congressman Mike Levin

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Dear Neighbor,

Since coming to Congress, I’ve been working to advance bipartisan, commonsense immigration reform that strengthens our borders, holds criminals accountable, and provides pathways to citizenship for immigrants who want to contribute positively to our country.

Here’s some of the recent work I’ve been doing to fix our broken system.

Rep. Mike Levin Responds the Recent Panga Boat Incident

Recently, a panga boat carrying 18 people capsized off the coast of Del Mar, leaving at least three people dead and four injured. This incident makes it abundantly clear that we must improve maritime border security and reform our system.

I am requesting $60 million in federal funding for autonomous surveillance towers (ASTs). These ASTs are equipped with cameras, radar, and infrared technology to identify and help intercept maritime threats, like migrant smuggling. They are particularly helpful when the weather is bad and smugglers think they have the best chance of landing undetected. In addition to this funding, I’m also working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify other areas of need where Congress can strengthen maritime border security.

I have also repeatedly supported legislation to give maritime border law enforcement more tools. Last Congress, I supported the Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act, which would extend U.S. customs waters from 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles, allowing law enforcement to respond more quickly and effectively to emerging threats in our waters. I helped reintroduce the bill this Congress and it has bipartisan support in the House and Senate. I’m collaborating with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this bill across the finish line and into law.

Read more about my funding request here. Watch my press conference on the incident here.

Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez came to the United States 35 years ago without authorization. They tried to file for asylum but received bad legal advice from a now-disbarred attorney.

They raised three daughters, worked hard, paid taxes, and never got so much as a speeding ticket. For years, they had routine check-ins with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and were allowed to stay in the country.

In February, while at their ICE appointment, they were detained, separated, and deported.

Why was a family with no criminal background or gang affiliation a priority for deportation?

We should be using our resources to remove dangerous individuals — not break up families. We need smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes actual criminals, not senseless deportations.

You can watch my floor speech advocating for the Gonzalez family here.

To hear from Gladys and Nelson’s daughter, Stephanie, watch our interview with FOX 11 here.

Read my op-ed in Picket Fence Media here.

If you have questions about my work or need help with a federal agency, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. You can send me an email through my website, call my Carlsbad office at (760) 599-5000, or call my Dana Point office at (949) 281-2449. For updates on my work on behalf of our communities, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Substack at @RepMikeLevin.

Sincerely,

Mike Levin

Member of Congress