Marc A. Veasey

Marc Veasey Slams DOJ Decision Ending Deportation Protections for DACA Recipients

Position: Congressman Veasey opposes the DOJ decision to weaken deportation protections for DACA recipients and calls on Congress to pass legislation providing permanent protections for Dreamers.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Veasey (TX-33), who has conducted several ICE detention and processing center visits in recent weeks, released the following statement on the outrageous new actions by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that make it easier to deport individuals protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): “The Department of Justice’s latest move to weaken protections for DACA recipients is deeply concerning and undermines the stability of hundreds of thousands of young DACA recipients who call this country home,” said Congressman Veasey. “Dreamers have lived, studied, and worked in this country for their entire lives. They are essential members of our communities, but most importantly, they are human who deserve to be treated with compassion. I urge my colleagues in Congress to oppose this DOJ policy and act swiftly to provide permanent protections for Dreamers—not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is integral to our economy and the future of our country.” According to recent reporting, appellate immigration judges sided with the Department, making it easier for the federal government to pursue deportation cases against DACA recipients by limiting their ability to challenge removal orders Weakening DACA protections would also have significant economic consequences—particularly for Texas. Dreamers contribute over $412 million in state and local taxes and more than $441 million in federal taxes annually, while holding a collective spending power of approximately $2.9 billion. Without protections like those proposed in the Dream Act, Texas could lose up to $6 billion in GDP each year. Issues:ImmigrationHuman RightsMinority Issues

Congressman Veasey Renews Calls to Remove Controversial Statue on Texas Rangers Home Opener at Globe Life Field

Arlington, Texas — Today, as the Texas Rangers open their 2026 home season, Congressman Marc Veasey highlights the importance of continuing dialogue around community representation across North Texas amid the recent installation of the controversial “One Riot, One Ranger” statue. “Opening Day is always a special moment for North Texas families,” said Congressman Veasey. “The Rangers are a point of pride for our region, and baseball has a unique way of bringing people together across generations." In recent weeks, Congressman Veasey sent a letter to Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Rob Manfred, and Texas Rangers Co-Chairmen Ray Davis and Bob Simpson, where he stated the statue contradicts the values of baseball and the legacy of the sport's pioneering leaders such as Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby. “Teams like the Rangers are woven into the fabric of our community," Congressman Veasey stated. “That comes with an opportunity and a responsibility to make sure that legacy is one people feel proud of." Issues:Minority Issues

Congressman Veasey Visits Prairieland Detention Center,

Alvarado, Texas — Today, Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) visited the Prairieland detention center. This oversight visit comes following the recent reports of detainees who have been denied medical care and aid. During the visit, Congressman Veasey raised serious concerns about the overall conditions inside the facility, including access to adequate medical care, transparency in operations, and the humane treatment of detainees. While detention facilities are expected to meet federal standards, it is critical that oversight remains strong and that these standards are consistently upheld. “This visit is about far more than what we may or may not see inside these walls—it is about demanding accountability at every level of our immigration system,” said Congressman Veasey. “We have a responsibility, not just as lawmakers but as human beings, to ensure that the dignity and rights of every person in custody are respected. We cannot turn away, and we cannot ignore the humanitarian implications of what is happening inside these facilities. Silence in the face of suffering is not an option. Oversight is not optional—it is our duty. And the American people deserve transparency, truth, and accountability.” Following the oversight tour, Congressman Veasey convened a roundtable with community stakeholders, local leaders, and advocates to discuss these serious concerns and identify steps toward strengthening oversight. Issues:Immigration

Congressman Veasey Leads Letter to ICE Demanding Answers on the Death of a Detainee

Position: Congressman Veasey is demanding a full and independent investigation into the death of an Afghan detainee held at an ICE facility, citing concerns about detention conditions, lack of transparency, and accountability for federal agencies.

Dallas, Texas — Today, Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding the recent death of Afghan father and former U.S military ally Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, raising concerns once again about the circumstances within these facilities. In the letter, Congressman Veasey stated that he is requesting the Department of Homeland Security and ICE conduct a full and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Paktiawal’s death. “Congress has a responsibility to oversee federal agencies, and I intend to continue pressing for accountability on behalf of Mr. Paktiawal, his family, and all those who trust our nation’s promises.” This marks Rep. Veasey’s second letter to the Department of Homeland Security, to which he has yet to receive a response. Rep. Veasey urges the Department of Homeland Security and ICE to treat this matter, as well as his prior unanswered inquiries, with the urgency, transparency, and seriousness it demands. The full letter can be found here: Dear Acting Director Lyons: I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the tragic death of Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal on March 14, 2026, following a stay that exceeded the eight-hour standard at the ICE Processing Center in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Paktiawal, an Afghan father and military ally who served alongside our servicemembers for more than two decades, died under circumstances that demand an immediate, full, and transparent investigation. No family should have to endure the loss of a loved one while in the custody of the federal government, especially one who stood shoulder to shoulder with U.S. forces in Afghanistan. During my recent visit to the ICE Processing Center in Dallas, officials assured me that individuals held at the facility have access to basic care supplies and are generally detained no longer than eight hours, except in rare circumstances. ICE’s lack of transparency and knack for distractions does not assuage credible reports I have received indicating that individuals have been held at the facility for extended periods – some for over a week, and as long as 11 days – with limited access to running water, overcrowded holding rooms, and improper place to sleep. I raised these concerns in a previous letter to your office, to which I have yet to receive a response.1 This lack of engagement and transparency reflects a troubling pattern of inaction on issues I first raised more than eight months ago. According to ICE officials, Mr. Paktiawal had been in custody since the morning of Friday, March 13, 2026. He was transferred that evening, more than 8 hours later, to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.2 While in a processing room at the ICE Field Office in Dallas, he reportedly complained about shortness of breath and chest pains. After being transferred to Parkland Hospital, he received breathing treatment and remained overnight in the hospital for observation. Tragically, Mr. Paktiawal was declared dead the following morning despite multiple lifesaving efforts. Mr. Paktiawal’s death underscores a broader moral and strategic obligation. When individuals risk their lives to assist the United States, we owe them safety, dignity, and fair treatment. Failing to uphold these basic obligations sends a troubling signal to current and prospective allies abroad, particularly in regions critical to U.S. national security, who may consider cooperating with U.S. forces. For these reasons, I formally request that the Department of Homeland Security and ICE conduct a complete and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Paktiawal’s death. In addition, I request a detailed accounting of custody procedures, detention times, and oversight mechanisms currently in place at the Dallas facility. Congress has a responsibility to oversee federal agencies, and I intend to continue pressing for accountability on behalf of Mr. Paktiawal, his family, and all those who trust our nation’s promises. I urge you to treat this matter, and my prior unanswered inquiries, with the urgency, transparency, and seriousness it demands. Sincerely, Marc Veasey Member of Congress Issues:ImmigrationHuman Rights

Congressman Veasey Demands Answers on the Death of an Afghan U.S. Ally in Dallas ICE Center

Dallas, Texas — Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) releases the following statement on the death of a detainee at the ICE Processing Center: Today, I learned of the tragic death of Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawal—an Afghan father who once served alongside the United States—after he was held at the ICE Processing Center in Dallas. No family should ever have to learn that their loved one died while in government custody. Mr. Paktiawal’s death raises serious and urgent questions that demand immediate answers. I am requesting a full and transparent investigation and demanding that ICE and the Department of Homeland Security provide clear accountability. “Last week, I visited that same ICE Processing Center in Dallas. During my visit, officials assured me that individuals held at the facility are generally not detained for longer than eight hours except in rare circumstances. However, that assurance stands in stark contrast to reports I have received from members of the community describing people being held far longer. “When individuals place their trust in the United States—working alongside our military and intelligence services and often putting themselves and their families in grave danger—what obligation do we owe them when they come here legally seeking safety and dignity? If someone like Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawal, who risked his life to assist the United States, can die in custody under these circumstances, it sends a troubling signal far beyond our borders. Stories like his will reach places like Afghanistan and Iran, where people weigh the risks of cooperating with the United States and ask a simple question: if we stand with America, will America stand with us? Our credibility—and our ability to find people willing to risk everything to help protect our nation—depends on how we answer that question. “Congress has a responsibility to check this administration, and I will continue pressing federal officials for transparency and accountability. Issues:ImmigrationHuman RightsMinority Issues

Congressman Marc Veasey Calls on Major League Baseball and Texas Rangers to Remove Statue Honoring Segregationist Figure

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) sent a letter to Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Rob Manfred, and Texas Rangers Co-Chairmen Ray Davis and Bob Simpson, raising serious concerns about the reported installation of a statue honoring a segregationist law enforcement officer associated with efforts to block the integration of Mansfield High School in 1956 following the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education. In the letter, Congressman Veasey stated that honoring a statue tied to resisting school integration contradicts the inclusive values baseball represents and undermines the legacy of pioneering leaders such as Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby, who helped make baseball a sport that belonged to everyone, regardless of skin color. “Ballparks should be places where families gather, and fans of every background feel welcome,” said Rep. Veasey. “Honoring a figure tied to resisting school integration—and doing so with imagery that evokes racist violence—sends exactly the wrong message about who belongs in that space.” Rep. Veasey urged Major League Baseball and the Texas Rangers to remove the statue and requested answers about whether MLB reviewed or approved the monument and what guidelines govern commemorative displays at league ballparks. The full letter can be found here: March 10, 2026 The Honorable Rob Manfred Commissioner Major League Baseball 1271 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 Mr. Ray Davis Co-Chairman Mr. Bob Simpson Co-Chairman Texas Rangers Baseball Club 734 Stadium Drive Arlington, Texas 7601 Dear Commissioner Manfred, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Simpson, I write to express my serious concern regarding the reported installation of a statue connected to the Texas Rangers that honors the late segregationist Jay Bank, a law enforcement figure who was with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s, Texas Rangers investigative unit. Banks was deployed by then-Governor Allan Shivers, to block the integration of one of our local public schools, during one of the most painful chapters of our nation’s civil rights history. The statue in question commemorates Sgt. Banks, who supervised the Texas Rangers’ role in impeding the integration of Mansfield High School in 1956. That episode was not a moment of pride in Texas history—it was a moment when the power of the state was used to stand in the way of equal rights and the rule of law following the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Even more disturbing is the history surrounding the figure this statue honors. Photographs from that time show Sgt. Banks leaning against a tree while a blackface hanging effigy dangled above the entrance to Mansfield High School—imagery that evokes the terror and intimidation used to keep Black children from exercising their right to an education. The fact that this statue was unveiled just days before Opening Day makes the decision even more shocking. As fans and families prepared to celebrate a new baseball season, they were instead confronted with a monument that echoes the language and symbolism of racial terror. The modern game exists because pioneers like Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby had the courage to break baseball’s color barrier and endure unimaginable hostility so the sport could live up to its ideals. Robinson and Doby faced hatred, threats, and humiliation simply for stepping onto the field. Their sacrifice helped transform baseball into a game that belongs to everyone. To place a monument honoring someone associated with resisting civil rights at a Major League ballpark dishonors that legacy. It sends a chilling message about which parts of history are being elevated and which sacrifices are being forgotten. Ballparks should be places where families gather, where children fall in love with the game, and where fans of every race, faith, and background feel welcome. Honoring a figure tied to resisting school integration—and doing so with imagery that evokes racist violence—sends exactly the wrong message about who belongs in that space. Let me be clear: celebrating the legacy of someone connected to blocking integration is not preserving history. It is glorifying injustice. Given the seriousness of this issue, I ask that Major League Baseball (MLB) provide answers to the following questions: Was MLB aware that the statue honors an individual connected to efforts to block the integration of Mansfield High School in 1956? Did MLB review or approve the installation of this statue before it was placed at the Texas Rangers’ stadium? How does MLB reconcile honoring a figure associated with resisting school integration with the league’s public commitments to inclusion? What standards or guidelines do MLB maintain governing statues, monuments, or commemorative displays at its ballparks? Does MLB believe that honoring individuals connected to efforts to block school integration reflects the values the league wishes to project to fans and communities today? North Texas is one of the most diverse regions in the country. Fans who walk into a ballpark should see symbols that reflect unity, opportunity, and the progress our country has fought so hard to achieve—not monuments tied to the denial of those very principles. Baseball has long called itself America’s pastime. With that title comes a responsibility to reflect on the best of our country—not the moments when our institutions stood in the way of justice. I urge the league to correct this mistake immediately. The statue should be removed, and Major League Baseball should ensure that the symbols displayed at its stadiums honor the progress made possible by pioneers like Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby—not the forces that tried to stop them. Sincerely, Congressman Marc A. Veasey Member of Congress ###

Congressman Veasey Announces Guest for State of the Union Address

Today, Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) announced that Rabbi David Stern, Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, Texas — the largest synagogue in the South and Southwest — will join him as his guest at the State of the Union Address on Tuesday. For nearly four decades, Rabbi Stern has helped guide one of North Texas’ most historic congregations with a focus on faith, education, and social justice. Most recently, he has highlighted the human rights injustices currently being perpetrated in our communities through immigration practices by the Trump administration. “I am proud to announce that Rabbi Stern will be attending next week’s State of the Union Address as my guest,” said Congressman Veasey. “Rabbi Stern’s steadfast leadership and dedication to service, both within the Jewish community and across North Texas, exemplify the very best of our district. His commitment to promoting unity, combating hate, and building bridges between communities is most needed right now as we see human rights atrocities toward immigrants; that bear a strong resemblance to those carried out by Hitler towards Jews, across our nation. Rabbi Stern’s leadership extends beyond the synagogue pulpit. In January of 2026, he delivered a sermon titled “What Has Become of Us?” in which he reflected on America’s moral responsibilities, including how we welcome and treat immigrants. Drawing on Jewish teachings about welcoming the stranger and honoring human dignity, Rabbi Stern called on communities to extend compassion and respect to all who seek opportunity. His words emphasized that it is our moral obligation as a nation to uphold the dignity of every individual who comes to our country in search of the American dream. “In a place and a time where nobody is acting like a mensch, try to be a mensch. In a place and a time when people are either worn down into passivity or just plain asleep, stay awake. In a place and a time where inhumanity sometimes reigns, strive to be the glory that God created you to be: a human being.” Through partnerships with local leaders, educators, and community organizations, Rabbi has worked to ensure that DFW remains a place where diversity is celebrated and every family is welcome. Issues:ImmigrationEducationMinority Issues

Rep Veasey Calls Out Trump Administration for Drug Discount Scam

Position: Rep. Veasey opposes the Trump administration's TrumpRx drug discount program, characterizing it as a fraudulent rebranding of existing programs that fails to address high prescription drug costs. He calls for genuine solutions to reduce medication prices rather than marketing existing initiatives under a new name.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) called out Donald Trump and his administration's fraudulent attempt to swindle the American public through the online drug “discount” initiative, TrumpRx. Rep. Veasey underscored the urgent need to address the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States and raised serious concerns about the marketing and claims surrounding the scam known as TrumpRx. “The President loves to take existing programs and institutions or ideas and slap his name on them. First, it was the US Institute of Peace, then the Kennedy Center, and now it's this TrumpRX,” said Congressman Veasey. “Americans pay far more for medications than any other country in the world. That is a real problem that requires real solutions—not rebranding existing programs and claiming credit for them.” Republicans have stolen $1 trillion healthcare dollars from Americans, created chaos at the FDA, and cut millions of dollars in cancer research. Meanwhile, Trump is scamming hardworking Americans and taking credit for existing programs while taking zero steps to materially reduce the cost of drugs for hardworking Americans. Patients using TrumpRx are at risk of spending hundreds of dollars more for critical medications. Congressman Veasey encourages constituents to check other discount programs and use their insurance, when possible, to purchase their drugs. Everyday Americans deserve real care and coverage. Issues:Human RightsHealth and Fitness

Congressman Veasey Slams Abbott's Decision That Hurts Texas' Universities, Hospitals, and Businesses

Position: Congressman Veasey opposes Governor Abbott's freeze on H-1B visa petitions at Texas public universities and state agencies, arguing the policy undermines Texas' economic competitiveness, weakens the workforce, and damages higher education and medical institutions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) issued the following statement in response to Governor Greg Abbott’s directive ordering Texas public universities and state agencies to halt new H-1B visa petitions through the end of the 2027: “Abbott’s decision to freeze H-1B visa petitions at Texas public universities and state agencies is a blow to Texas’ workforce,” said Congressman Veasey. “Texas’ economy has thrived because we attract qualified workers, researchers, doctors, educators, and students who bring their talents and hard work to strengthen our communities. This order undermines that legacy.” This action will impact thousands of families, students, and workers who contribute every day to our state’s success. It will make Texas less competitive economically, weaken our workforce, and erode the standing of our higher education and medical institutions at a time when innovation and talent are critical to our future. Congressman Veasey also criticized the governor’s expanded investigations into university visa usage, calling them wasteful and ineffective: “Governor Abbott’s so-called investigations do nothing to fix our broken immigration system. They waste taxpayer dollars, sow fear, and offer no real solutions. Immigration reform requires serious leadership and bipartisan cooperation — not political stunts that scapegoat immigrants and damage Texas’ economy. Texas should be competing to attract the best talent in the world, not driving it away. We must reject fear-based politics and focus on policies that grow our economy, support families, and keep Texas strong. Governor Abbott is less qualified than any H1-B visa holder for his position. Let’s start at the top first if we are talking about cutting out unqualified individuals.” Issues:Blue Collar JobsImmigrationEducationNational SecurityHuman RightsMinority IssuesVeteransHealth and Fitness