Carbajal, Salud RSS Articles

Carbajal Demands Full Investigation Following Wrongful Detention and Injury of Santa Maria High School Student

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director David Venturella demanding an immediate, thorough investigation into federal immigration enforcement operations across the Central Coast.

Carbajal’s demand follows the October 21 detention and injury of 20-year-old Erik Zepeda, a U.S. citizen and Santa Maria High School student with disabilities who was tackled, restrained, and questioned by ICE agents while walking to school. Zepeda was hospitalized and underwent surgery for wrist injuries sustained during the wrongful detainment. Reports indicate that although Zepeda carried identification, agents did not ask to inspect it before using force.

“I am writing to demand a thorough investigation into recent federal immigration enforcement operations across California’s Central Coast. This includes the reported detention and injury of one of my constituents, Erik Zepeda, a U.S. citizen and high school student walking to school in Santa Maria, California,” wrote Rep. Carbajal. “Beyond this incident, I have seen alarming reports of U.S. citizens being detained and injured and heard of families and farmworkers with no criminal record who have been caught up in aggressive interior enforcement actions.”

Carbajal goes on to describe the recent surge of ICE activity on the Central Coast, including the October 5th incident at Allan Hancock College.

“According to 805 UndocuFund, 114 people were detained during a weeklong enforcement operation from October 5 through October 11 across Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties. Reports describe enforcement actions at workplaces, inside churches, in neighborhoods, on busy streets, and near schools,” continued Rep. Carbajal. “Just weeks earlier, on October 5, immigration agents detained the father of Mayrin, an Allan Hancock College student, in a campus parking lot as the two arrived at school. Farmworkers across the Central Coast have also faced severe enforcement actions at fields where they do the backbreaking work that helps feed the nation.”

Carbajal concludes the letter by demanding a full investigation into the recent ICE activity.

“A U.S. citizen student was detained and injured on his way to school. Farmworkers across the Central Coast have faced enforcement actions that leave them fearful of being detained while simply doing their jobs. General platitudes that immigration agents are following agency policy are not enough. DHS and ICE must explain what happened, investigate potential misconduct, and take steps to prevent these incidents from happening again,” concluded Rep. Carbajal.

The full letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Secretary Mullin and Acting Director Venturella:

I am writing to demand a thorough investigation into recent federal immigration enforcement operations across California’s Central Coast. This includes the reported detention and injury of one of my constituents, Erik Zepeda, a U.S. citizen and high school student walking to school in Santa Maria, California. Beyond this incident, I have seen alarming reports of U.S. citizens being detained and injured and heard of families and farmworkers with no criminal record who have been caught up in aggressive interior enforcement actions. More importantly, I have serious concerns that a growing number of individuals are being targeted based on their race, ethnicity, or perceived immigration status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) must be accountable to the public and to the communities they serve, including my constituents. I expect this investigation to look at what happened, how these operations comply with constitutional protections, and what steps DHS and ICE are taking to prevent wrongful detention and discriminatory enforcement.

On October 21, 2026, federal agents reportedly detained Erik Zepeda, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen and Santa Maria High School student with disabilities as he walked to school. According to local news reports, agents tackled and restrained him, questioned him about his identity and citizenship while he was in their vehicle, and released him near where they had detained him. He continued to school, where staff observed his injuries and called an ambulance. He was hospitalized and underwent surgery for injuries sustained to his wrists because of his wrongful detainment by ICE. Reports also indicate that the student had identification with him, yet agents did not ask to see it before detaining him. ICE’s claim that he matched the description of a person they were seeking and resisted commands does not resolve the serious questions raised by this encounter. The detention of a U.S. citizen that reportedly left him hospitalized and requiring surgery demands a full, transparent investigation and accountability for any misconduct.

Unfortunately, the reports of excessive use of force, violation of constitutional rights, and profiling of individuals based on their perceived immigration status extend beyond this one incident. According to 805 UndocuFund, 114 people were detained during a weeklong enforcement operation from October 5 through October 11 across Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties. Reports describe enforcement actions at workplaces, inside churches, in neighborhoods, on busy streets, and near schools. Just weeks earlier, on October 5, immigration agents detained the father of Mayrin, an Allan Hancock College student, in a campus parking lot as the two arrived at school. Farmworkers across the Central Coast have also faced severe enforcement actions at fields where they do the backbreaking work that helps feed the nation.

We are seeing a rising tide of rhetoric that seeks to turn neighbor against neighbor, painting human beings not as individuals with dreams and rights, but as numbers and political bargaining chips. We continue to hear people fan the flames of division and say all these actions are justifiable because they are targeting criminals.

However, the data we have does not back up this claim. According to the Migration Policy Institute’s (MPI) October 2026 analysis, DHS completed an estimated 980,000 deportations and returns during the first 18 months of the second Trump administration, including formal removals, other returns, and departures classified as voluntary. MPI found that only about 20 percent of the people included in that total had criminal convictions. Among immigrants who had lived in the United States for at least two years before being deported, 71 percent had no criminal conviction. These findings raise important questions as to whether the people being targeted match the administration’s stated focus on individuals who pose a public safety threat and have criminal convictions.

To better understand these incidents and ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, I request written responses to the following questions:

Investigation into the Santa Maria student’s detention: What is DHS and ICE’s account of the October 21 incident involving Erik Zepeda? What steps are being taken to investigate the use of force, the decision to detain the student, and the process used to verify his identity and citizenship? Did agents know or have reason to know that he had a disability, and what protocols apply in such circumstances? Please preserve and provide relevant body-worn camera footage, vehicle recordings, incident reports, and other records, consistent with applicable law.
Central Coast enforcement operations: How many immigration enforcement operations have DHS and ICE conducted in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties since January 20, 2025? For the October 5–11 operation in particular, please provide the number of people detained, the locations and circumstances of those detentions, the agencies involved, and the number of individuals released without further enforcement action or proceedings.
Detention of U.S. citizens: How many U.S. citizens have been detained by ICE nationwide and in California since January 20, 2025? For these cases, please provide information on the circumstances of detention, the length of detention, any use of force, what documentation does ICE and DHS require to verify U.S citizenship, and whether complaints were filed.
Safeguards against racial profiling: What policies and safeguards do DHS and ICE have in place to prevent individuals from being targeted based on race, ethnicity, or perceived immigration status? How many complaints alleging racial profiling or discriminatory enforcement have been received since January 20, 2025, and how many have resulted in investigations or findings of misconduct?
Identity verification and disability protocols: What procedures must agents follow to verify a person’s identity and citizenship before or during detention? What additional guidance applies when interacting with individuals with disabilities or limited verbal communication, including how agents should assess whether a person understands and can comply with commands?

President John F. Kennedy said in his 1963 address to the nation on civil rights, “[..]the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” More than 60 years later, this statement remains just as true. The Constitution and the Supreme Court of the United States have affirmed that many fundamental constitutional protections extend to all people in the United States, not just citizens. Our government has a responsibility to uphold those protections and live up to our nation’s promise of liberty and justice for all. Immigration enforcement must be carried out in accordance with the Constitution and compliance with the spirit and letter of the law.

A U.S. citizen student was detained and injured on his way to school. Farmworkers across the Central Coast have faced enforcement actions that leave them fearful of being detained while simply doing their jobs. General platitudes that immigration agents are following agency policy are not enough. DHS and ICE must explain what happened, investigate potential misconduct, and take steps to prevent these incidents from happening again. I look forward to your response.

Carbajal Joins Garamendi in Opposing Trump Administration Proposal to Use Cal Poly Maritime Academy Ship for Mass Deportations

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), top Democrat of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, joined U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) in demanding that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin discard any plans to use ships for deportation. They cited “enormous operational, safety and legal challenges” and warned that deportations by sea would “take days” and “require many security personnel and cost the taxpayer millions of dollars.” Carbajal and Garamendi’s demands come after New York Times reporting revealed that DHS is considering using ships for mass deportations and identified Cal Poly Maritime Academy’s training ship, the Golden Bear, as a possible vessel.

“If the Trump administration follows through on this proposal, it would represent another escalation of their brutal immigration enforcement tactics. ICE already operates without sufficient transparency or public accountability, and deploying maritime vessels as floating prisons will only open the door to potentially more abuses. As the top Democrat overseeing the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee and a Senior Member of the Armed Services Committee, I am proud to stand with Congressman John Garamendi and my colleagues in opposing the use of the Golden Bear — or any vessel — for mass deportations,” said Rep. Carbajal.

“Mark my words, Donald Trump, Markwayne Mullin, and ICE will never use the Golden Bear for their mass deportation agenda,” said Rep. Garamendi. “Not only is deporting migrants by ship impractical, but it’s also deeply inhumane. We have already seen how Trump’s reckless diversion of our government and military resources to support immigration enforcement costs our military readiness. This move would be the same for our sealift capacity. I’m proud to stand with Congressman Carbajal on this issue and I will continue to use every lever of oversight at my disposal to make sure we halt Trump and Mullin’s ICE from escalating their already inhumane and cruel mass deportation agenda. Hands off the Golden Bear.”

The full letter can be found HERE.

Background

Carbajal is a leader in fighting the Trump administration’s extreme immigration policies.

In October 2026, Carbajal visited the Santa Maria ICE facility — marking his third visit since 2025 — as part of his ongoing investigation into the recent surge in ICE activity on the Central Coast.

Carbajal visited the Adelanto ICE processing facility in May 2026 to meet with detainees, three of whom are Central Coast constituents. The Congressman also assessed conditions in the facility and inquired about the reported deaths of detainees.

Carbajal is a co-sponsor of the No Secret Police Act, which would require law enforcement officers and agents of DHS engaged in border security and civil immigration enforcement to clearly display identification and insignia when detaining or arresting individuals and to ban them from using home-made, non-tactical masks.

Carbajal co-leads the bipartisan Dignity Act, a bipartisan bill that would introduce reforms into our country’s immigration system. The bill includes commonsense reforms to legal status and protections for undocumented immigrants, border security investments, and improved asylum and visa processes.

Carbajal leads the Fight for the American Dream Act, legislation that allows participants of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program to serve in the United States military and provides them a pathway toward U.S. citizenship after their service.

Carbajal co-leads the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which establishes a program for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contributions to the U.S. agricultural economy.

Carbajal Statement on ICE Detainment Involving Santa Maria High School Student

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the statement below following reports of ICE tackling and injuring a U.S. citizen student from Santa Maria High School.

“I'm deeply disturbed and outraged to learn of yet another ICE detainment in Santa Maria — this time, ICE agents violently detained a student with disabilities while they were walking to school. The student is a U.S. citizen and sustained injuries severe enough that they needed surgery. This is outrageous and we should not tolerate these tactics. Our schools must remain safe places for students and families, free from fear, intimidation, and racial profiling.”

Carbajal Hosts Former Secretary Xavier Becerra, State Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón at Santa Barbara Latino Community Outreach Event

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

On Friday October 16, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) hosted former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and California State Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón in Santa Barbara for his annual “Cafecito Con El Congresista” event. The event featured remarks from Becerra, Limón, and Carbajal followed by a Q&A session with attendees.

Download photos here.

Carbajal’s “Cafecito” is an annual gathering that brings together the Central Coast Latino community to create an open forum for discussing local and national issues directly with elected officials. Carbajal has hosted the annual “Cafecito” event since 2017.

“Coming right on the heels of Hispanic Heritage Month, our Cafecito is an annual opportunity for our community to continue celebrating our heritage and the many contributions Latinos make to our country and the Central Coast,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I thank our special guests — Secretary Xavier Becerra and California State Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón — for joining us today and sharing the stories of their incredible public service journeys. I also would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who participated in today’s discussion and made this yet another successful Cafecito.”

“I've had the privilege to experience leadership in California, in Washington, D.C., and I've learned that Californians must continue to be the leaders of this nation. To me, Latino Heritage Month is not just one day or one month — we must live and follow our values every day. And I believe that as difficult as things are, California still has the best days ahead of it. I want to thank leaders like Rep. Salud Carbajal for hosting constituent events like this Cafecito and state Senate Pro Tem Monique Limón, we are going to work closely with our leaders to make sure we make a difference in the lives of every Californian,” said Secretary Becerra.

“I was honored to close out Hispanic Heritage Month alongside Congressman Carbajal, Secretary Becerra, and community leaders at the annual Cafecito event. It was great to be able to share the work of the State Senate, how we are working to protect all Californians, and utilizing all branches of government to better the state. Thank you to Congressman Carbajal for hosting this event and thank you to former Secretary Xavier Becerra for the inspiring conversation,” said State Senate Leader Monique Limón.

Other attendees included members of the community along with representatives from the California State Assembly, City of Santa Barbara, City of Goleta, City of Santa Maria, City of Carpinteria, City of Guadalupe, City of Oxnard, City of Ventura, Ventura County Board of Supervisors, Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara Unified School District, U.C. Santa Barbara, U.C. Merced, California State University Channel Islands, and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Carbajal Demands DHS Accountability Over Reports of Foreign Vessels Transporting Cargo Without Required Disclosures Under Jones Act Waiver

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Top Democrat of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin raising concerns over the department's administration and oversight of Jones Act waivers.

Carbajal’s inquiry follows recent reports indicating that foreign-flagged vessels have transported more than $40 million in petroleum products between U.S. ports without required disclosures, raising critical questions about whether federal tax, labor, and immigration laws are being properly enforced on foreign operators.

“I am writing to express concern regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) administration and oversight of Jones Act waivers, particularly in light of recent reporting that foreign-flagged vessels have transported more than $40 million in petroleum products between U.S. ports without required disclosures, among other potential violations,” wrote Rep. Carbajal. “These reports raise significant questions about whether DHS and its component agencies are adequately enforcing federal law with respect to foreign vessels operating in U.S. domestic commerce.”

The full letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Secretary Mullin:

I am writing to express concern regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) administration and oversight of Jones Act waivers, particularly in light of recent reporting that foreign-flagged vessels have transported more than $40 million in petroleum products between U.S. ports without required disclosures, among other potential violations. These reports raise significant questions about whether DHS and its component agencies are adequately enforcing federal law with respect to foreign vessels operating in U.S. domestic commerce.

As you know, the Jones Act generally prohibits the transportation of merchandise between U.S. points unless a vessel is U.S.-owned, U.S.-documented, and U.S.-built. Recent waivers have been issued under 46 U.S.C. § 501(a), which permits the waiver of certain navigation and vessel-inspection laws only when necessary in the interest of national defense to address an immediate adverse effect on military operations. The statute does not, however, provide an exemption from any other federal requirements applicable to foreign vessels, vessel owners, operators, employers, or crewmembers.

Publicly available information indicates that more than 25 domestic voyages by foreign-flagged vessels have been completed under the current waiver, with some vessels conducting multiple voyages. Given the scale and duration of this activity, there must be a clear framework for ensuring continued compliance with federal law.

Recent IRS guidance further establishes that income earned by foreign corporations from operating vessels between U.S. ports under a Jones Act waiver constitutes domestic-source income and is not eligible for the international shipping exclusion under Section 883 of the Internal Revenue Code or related treaty benefits. This raises additional questions about DHS’s role in facilitating and enforcing compliance with federal tax requirements.

Accordingly, I respectfully request the following information:

Tax compliance. What steps has DHS taken, independently or in coordination with the Department of the Treasury and IRS, to ensure compliance with applicable federal tax requirements by foreign vessel owners, operators, charterers, and other waiver users? Has DHS provided Treasury or IRS with information identifying waiver users, vessel owners and operators, charterers, cargo interests, voyage dates, cargo movements, or other information necessary to identify potential tax obligations? Please describe the information provided, the frequency of transmission, and any related interagency agreements or procedures.
Immigration and crewmember status. Federal regulations generally provide that nonimmigrant crewmen admitted in D status may not be employed in connection with domestic movements of a vessel. How is DHS/CBP interpreting and applying this restriction to foreign officers and crewmembers serving aboard vessels engaged in domestic transportation under the waiver? What immigration classifications or other legal authorities permit such service? Has DHS/CBP identified instances in which a crewmember’s immigration status was inconsistent with domestic service, or in which a crewmember absconded? If so, what corrective or enforcement actions were taken? Please provide any guidance, memoranda, legal opinions, or internal directives addressing these issues.
Other federal requirements. Please describe the steps DHS and its component agencies have taken to ensure compliance with other applicable federal requirements, including maritime security, environmental protection, vessel safety and inspection, wage and hour, labor and employment, payroll and withholding taxes, harbor maintenance, customs, and any other requirements applicable to foreign vessels operating between U.S. points.
Interagency coordination and oversight. Please provide a description of all coordination between DHS and the Departments of Defense, Transportation, and Treasury; the IRS; U.S. Coast Guard; and other relevant agencies concerning operations under the waiver, including coordination regarding compliance with federal law and whether the statutory requirements for continued waiver authority remain satisfied.

The Administration has now authorized the waiver for an aggregate period of approximately 250 days, making oversight particularly important. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that a national-defense waiver is not being treated as a broader exemption from federal law. I therefore request a response addressing the matters above by October 31, 2026.

Background

Carbajal serves as Ranking Member of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.

In June 2026, Carbajal sent letters to vessel owners and operators that benefited from the Trump administration’s Jones Act waiver, seeking information about their use of the waiver, compliance with U.S. law, and the impacts on American maritime jobs and domestic shipping capacity. The letters are part of Carbajal’s ongoing oversight of the Administration’s April 23 extension of the waiver.

Carbajal, Padilla, Schiff, Huffman Lead Colleagues in Urging Removal of Hunt Amendment from Annual Defense Bill

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), and House Natural Resources Committee top Democrat Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), led 30 of their colleagues in calling on House and Senate Armed Services Committee leaders to reject the Hunt Amendment’s provision (Section 2835) in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would grant unprecedented eminent domain authority to the federal government to benefit Sable Offshore Corporation.

“The NDAA has long served as a bipartisan vehicle to strengthen our national security and support our servicemembers. However, we are deeply concerned by the inclusion of Section 2835, which would grant extraordinary eminent domain authority to the federal government to circumvent established environmental protections for the benefit of a single private company. Given the sweeping implications of this provision, we believe this policy rider does not belong in the NDAA and, therefore, should be removed from the final conference agreement,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers explain how this provision would jeopardize the California coastal economy and do little to strengthen our nation’s energy security.

“California’s coastal economy supports roughly 511,000 jobs and generates over $51.3 billion in GDP from marine-economy activities — largely in tourism and recreation. Another oil spill from a corrosion-prone pipeline that has spilled before would jeopardize the economic security of everyday Americans that rely on our coastal economy for their livelihoods,” the lawmakers continued. “In addition, there is no evidence that this provision would meaningfully advance our nation's energy security. Recent spikes in gasoline prices driven by market uncertainty surrounding the war in Iran underscore that global oil markets—not a single offshore project—continue to dictate prices at the pump.”

The letter goes on to highlight the unprecedented nature of Section 2835, which would grant the federal government extraordinary powers to seize property for the sole benefit of a single private organization.

“The NDAA should not be used to circumvent established permitting processes or create special authorities for individual projects that have failed to secure the approvals required under existing law. The federal government's power of eminent domain is among its most significant authorities and should be exercised only when there is a clear and compelling public purpose—not to resolve private infrastructure disputes or increase the profitability of a single company—at the expense of communities who have to live with the consequences of an oil spill,” said the lawmakers.

The full letter is available HERE.

Joining Carbajal, Padilla, Schiff, and Huffman the letter is co-signed by U.S. Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Lou Correa (D-CA-46), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Pete Aguilar (D-CA-33), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), George Whitesides (D-CA-27), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), and Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51).

Background

Carbajal has been a leader in opposing the Sable pipeline’s forced restart.

In September 2026, Carbajal led a bicameral group of colleagues in filing an amicus brief in California v. Wright to challenge the Trump Administration’s use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to facilitate the restart of the Sable Offshore oil pipeline system along the California Central Coast. The brief argues that the Administration has failed to identify a legitimate national defense need for Sable’s crude oil and that the DPA order does not satisfy the statutory requirements for invoking this extraordinary authority.

In July 2026, Carbajal spoke on the House floor against the NDAA’s Hunt amendment, which would grant the federal government unprecedented access to California-owned public lands associated with the Santa Ynez Unit and Las Flores Pipeline System.

In May 2026, Carbajal, Schiff, and members of the California congressional delegation launched an inquiry into Sable’s efforts to restart oil drilling off the California coast and demanded answers on the company’s collaboration with the Trump administration to invoke the DPA in relation to this project.

Last year, Carbajal, Schiff, Padilla, and members of the California congressional delegation demanded answers from the Trump administration on its involvement in Sable’s attempts to restart the pipeline.

Carbajal, Padilla Introduce Legislation to Investigate Toxic Waste Dump Off California Coast

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act, new legislation aimed at addressing the toxic industrial waste and pesticide pollution dumped off the Southern California coast.

For decades, industrial waste — including the pesticide DDT — was disposed of in ocean dump sites off California’s coast, particularly in the San Pedro Basin. The Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act establishes a structured federal study to assess the damage to the local marine ecosystem and develop comprehensive solutions to clean up the waste.

“The San Pedro Basin has long been the site of an underwater toxic waste dump. This toxic waste – which includes the pesticide DDT – has been very harmful to the health of local marine life and poses a risk to people who live and work near these waters,” said Rep. Carbajal. “As the representative of California’s Central Coast, I know firsthand how much our communities depend on a healthy ocean – from our fishermen and maritime workers to our tourism and coastal economies. We have a responsibility to protect these waters. I thank Senator Alex Padilla for joining me in introducing this bill as a first step in fixing this environmental tragedy.”

“Our communities deserve to know what's in the water off of the coast of San Pedro and what it means for our health, our fisheries, and our future. By putting NOAA's scientists and our leading research institutions to work mapping the contamination, tracking how it moves, and exploring cleanup through bioremediation, we can finally address this problem head-on,” said Sen. Padilla.

“For decades we used the ocean as a dumping ground for all manner of wastes including deeply-concerning industrial byproducts from DDT manufacturing. This proposed legislation takes an important step to address fundamental issues around the disposition, impacts and remediation options for those wastes. While California may be ground zero for this issue, the legislation provides a needed path to take lessons learned off California's coast and apply them to waste disposal sites that occur along all our Nation's coastlines,” said David Valentine, Norris Chair and Distinguished Professor of Earth and Marine Science, UCSB.

Specifically, the Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to monitor waste sites in the San Pedro Basin, study how toxic chemicals like DDT spread into the ocean food web, and build scientific tools to track ocean dumping.

NOAA, in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Defense, may award grants to academic and research institutions to study:

Spatial mapping of contamination
Co-contaminants and chemical mixtures
Movement, fate, and breakdown processes
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification in ecosystems

The bill authorizes $6 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2032 to carry out these critical activities.

Read the full bill text here.

Background:

DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) is a synthetic pesticide that was widely used in the United States beginning in the 1940s to control agricultural pests and disease-carrying insects. In 1972, EPA banned most uses of DDT in the United States because of its adverse environmental effects and potential risks to human health.

Recent studies have revealed tens of thousands of barrels of DDT and hazardous waste off Southern California, posing potential risks to marine life, fisheries, and public health. For decades, no federal agency has taken responsibility for assessing these dump sites; The Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act would provide the federal coordination and scientific investment needed to address this issue.

Carbajal Announces Funding for Central Coast Water Projects Passed House

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) announced the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill containing more than $66 million for Central Coast water projects. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 will now need to be considered by the Senate for final passage.

Click here for legislative text and here for a summary of WRDA 2026.

“Climate change and population growth are straining the Central Coast’s aging water infrastructure. We need strong federal investments to upgrade the water pipes, treatment plants, and sewer systems that serve our region,” said Rep. Carbajal, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “Now that the House has passed the Water Resources Development Act, this bill is heading to the Senate carrying key investments I secured for our local infrastructure. I will continue working closely with my colleagues in Congress to ensure this critical legislation is signed into law and delivers for our communities.”

The following projects and authorizations have been included in the committee-passed bill.

$6,300,000 for the City of Lompoc. The City’s projects include the modernization of the City’s water treatment plant and construction of a stormwater treatment and flood control system.
$30,000,000 for the Los Olivos Community Services District (LOCSD). The funding will be used for a new septic-to-sewer project. Once completed, the proposed project will collect wastewater from the LOCSD and send the waste approximately 3.5 miles to a connection point with the City of Solvang. The City of Solvang will then treat and dispose of the LOCSD’s wastewater at their regional facilities.
$25,000,000 for the City of Ojai. The project would replace the metal pipes that service the City’s storm water collection system. These pipes are at the end of their expected life, having been in place since the early 1960s.
$3,200,000 for Summerland Sanitary District to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure.
$2,000,000 for the City of Solvang to improve its water and water supply infrastructure, including the distribution systems.
Authorization of the City of Morro Bay’s seawall repair and harbor enhancements project.

In July 2026, Carbajal announced WRDA advanced out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Below are quotes from Central Coast leaders on the bill's advancement.

“The City of Solvang is grateful for Congressman Carbajal’s leadership and continued advocacy for Solvang. His support helps advance important infrastructure priorities that are essential to the long-term health, reliability, and resilience of our community,” said Mayor David Brown.

“The legislative language advocated by Congressman Salud Carbajal will ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lives up to its responsibility to repair and maintain breakwater, revetment, and seawall infrastructure that is vital to ensuring safe navigation and operations in Morro Bay Harbor. We appreciate Rep. Carbajal’s leadership and his hard work in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Morro Bay and California,” said Mayor Carla Wixom.

“The Summerland Sanitary District is incredibly grateful to Congressman Carbajal for his continued advocacy for our coastal infrastructure. Securing this $3.2 million authorization in the draft WRDA bill is a vital milestone in rehabilitating our ocean outfall. This federal partnership establishes the critical pathway we need to protect our local environment and ensure reliable wastewater services for our community,” said Diantha Glaser, General Manager of the Summerland Sanitary District.

“Building a sewer system to solve a problem that has persisted for more than 50 years isn't glamorous, and it certainly is not easy. We are deeply grateful to Congressman Salud Carbajal for his leadership and support in helping secure funding for this critical community infrastructure. This investment gives Los Olivos a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the solution our community has long supported while ensuring that local decisions remain in local hands. It allows us to move forward with a project that reflects the needs and priorities of the people who live and work here,” said Los Olivos Community Services District President Julie Kennedy.

“Congressman Carbajal’s work to continue advancing the Lower Mission Creek Flood Control Project through WRDA 2026 is a very welcome shot in the arm. He has been an essential and long-time champion of the project. With construction now over 50% complete, renewed Federal investment is critical to finishing this complex and urgently needed project to protect our densely developed urban core from recurring flooding,” said Santa Barbara County Public Works Director Chris Sneddon.

“Safety and infrastructure have been central priorities for this Council and City staff, with enhanced public participation, deferred maintenance budgeting, and focused timelines as key progress indicators. We are extremely grateful for our Federal agencies in partnering with the City of Ojai to bring our storm systems to proper order, helping to sustain a community that can remain resilient, safe, and efficient now and for decades to come,” said Ojai’s Mayor Andy Gilman.

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out critical water infrastructure projects nationwide, including flood risk reduction, ecosystem restoration and navigation improvement. WRDA is biennial legislation crafted by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. By authorizing these projects through WRDA, Congress helps unlock future federal funding.

The bill supports locally-driven projects that also deliver regional and national benefits to strengthen U.S. global competitiveness and supply chain, grow the economy, move goods throughout the country, protect communities from flooding, and more. In addition, investments in water infrastructure help lower everyday costs for Americans. Modernizing aging infrastructure reduces water loss and lowers maintenance expenses, helping keep water rates more affordable for households and businesses.

Click here for legislative text and here for a summary of WRDA 2026.

Carbajal, Whitehouse, Padilla, Schiff Lead Colleagues in Filing Amicus Brief Challenging Trump Administration’s Involvement in the Sable Offshore Pipeline Restart

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), along with Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Top Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), led 14 of their colleagues in filing an amicus brief in California v. Wright, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, to challenge the Trump Administration’s use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to facilitate the restart of the Sable Offshore oil pipeline system along the California Central Coast.

The brief argues that the Administration has failed to identify a legitimate national defense need for Sable’s crude oil and that the DPA order does not satisfy the statutory requirements for invoking this extraordinary authority. Sable produces crude oil—not finished fuels used by the military—and the order does not establish a connection between Sable’s production and an unmet military fuel requirement.

Joining Carbajal, Whitehouse, Padilla, and Schiff, the amicus brief is co-signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19).

“The Sable pipeline restart is a classic example of the Trump administration abusing power to benefit political allies at the expense of local communities,” said Rep. Carbajal. “As our brief outlines, there was no legitimate national security justification for invoking the Defense Production Act on behalf of Sable. This Administration is clearly fixated on boosting the fossil fuel industry, even when doing so risks putting our environment and public health in harm’s way. The people of Santa Barbara County and California have every right to be concerned about the pipeline restart given its role in the 2015 Refugio oil spill. I will keep fighting alongside my colleagues to hold the Administration accountable for this overreach and protect our communities' right to a safe environment.”

“President Trump and Secretary Wright’s ‘national security’ justification for invoking the Defense Production Act to restart flow of the Sable pipeline was clearly pretextual. The order was intended to throw a lifeline to a failing fossil-fuel company facing a severe financial cliff. The Trump administration will do anything to please their fossil fuel megadonors, no matter the environmental and public safety risks,” said Sen. Whitehouse.

“Californians have been clear: we don't want oil infrastructure off our coast,” said Sen. Padilla. “The Trump Administration is using a bogus justification to open our waters to their Big Oil donors, jeopardizing our environment and our economy. It's corrupt, it's dangerous, and I'll do everything in my power to stop it.”

“The idea that reopening a damaged pipeline on the Central Coast of California is somehow imperative to our national defense – when killing other renewable energy sources is just fine, when data centers are demanding new energy and we're taking offline 90 to 95% of the new energy coming into the grid – tells you this has nothing to do with national security. It has nothing to do with your price at the pump. It only has to do with the president keeping a promise to the big oil companies, and we are all paying the price,” said Sen. Schiff.

“Once again, Trump is blatantly boosting the fossil fuel industry under guise of national security. They’re betraying the real national interests of our communities and public health. Restarting the Sable pipeline displays this Administration’s continued abuse of power, benefiting Trump’s billionaire cronies at the expense of the American people. I will continue fighting to stop Trump’s overreach threatening our environment,” said Sen. Blumenthal.

“Donald Trump is obsessed with abusing the Presidency to enrich his billionaire buddies while his policies keep sending everyday costs through the roof,” said Sen. Duckworth. “The Defense Production Act is a tool meant to help protect our national security—not bail out the President’s Big Oil donors. The Administration’s phony justification for restarting this pipeline without environmental and safety review is blatant corruption, and it could seriously endanger public health. It must be stopped.”

“Trump is turning the Defense Production Act into a blank check for Big Oil,” said Rep. Huffman. “Emergency national security powers exist to protect this country in a crisis. They were never meant to force open an oil pipeline that has sat idle for more than a decade after fouling our coast. This is a fossil fuel giveaway dressed up as national security, designed to enrich Trump and reward his political allies. But it's our beaches, our coastal communities, and the businesses that depend on a clean, healthy ocean that will face the consequences if we let his sham continue. We have cleaned up this company’s mess once already. Californians have defended this coast for decades, and we are not backing down.”

“The Trump Administration’s abuse of the Defense Production Act to revive the Sable pipeline is an unlawful corporate giveaway masquerading as a national security measure,” said Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. “California communities know the devastating consequences of offshore oil spills. Congress created the Defense Production Act to protect our national security—not to reward political allies, endanger our coastline and override vital environmental safeguards.”

“As Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, we have been united against this Administration’s illegal attempts to force fossil fuel projects at the expense of our state’s environment and public health,” said Rep. Lofgren. “Trump has always put oil company profits above Americans’ well-being, but invoking the Defense Production Act for this pipeline is ridiculous. Californians don’t want a repeat of the 2015 oil spill, and the Administration is overstepping its authority to put our environment and coastal economy at risk.”

An excerpt from the brief is below. The full amicus brief is available HERE.

“This case is not about national defense. It is about a heavily leveraged, crude oil company asking the President to transform the Defense Production Act (DPA) from a statute designed to ‘assure the availability of domestic energy supplies for national defense needs,’ 50 U.S.C. § 4502(a)(5), into a corporate rescue operation for political allies; a rescue that advances the Administration’s political preference for fossil-fuel development at the expense of all other concerns. The Department of Energy’s (‘DOE’) March 13, 2026 order (the ‘Wright Order’) comes nowhere close to identifying a need for Sable crude oil or pipelines in the Order’s generalized invocation of California’s military presence and increased reliance on foreign crude. DOE never explains why those general circumstances create a national-defense need for Sable’s crude, much less how restarting its beleaguered pipelines would meet one.

“Merely invoking “national defense” or an “emergency” does not insulate executive action from the statutory prerequisites that Congress imposed in the DPA on the exercise of delegated authority. Enforcing these requirements, i.e., that the Secretary establish the statutory predicates for invoking the DPA, does not amount to second-guessing genuine executive judgments about national defense. Instead, enforcement honors the conditions precedent Congress imposed to prevent abuse of the DPA. DOE’s failure to satisfy these statutory prerequisites invalidates the Wright Order.”

Background

Sable Offshore acquired the Santa Ynez Unit from ExxonMobil in 2024. The pipeline had been out of service since the 2015 Refugio oil spill. In March 2026, Energy Secretary Chris Wright invoked the DPA and ordered Sable to restore pipeline operations. The brief argues that the Administration used national defense as a pretext to advance domestic energy policy and benefit a specific company.

Carbajal has been a leader in opposing the Administration’s use of the DPA to force the Sable pipeline’s restart.

In July 2026, Carbajal spoke on the House floor against the NDAA’s Hunt amendment, which would grant the federal government unprecedented access to California-owned public lands associated with the Santa Ynez Unit and Las Flores Pipeline System.

Carbajal Highlights $20 Million Federal Grant for UCSB Advanced Research Lab

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

On Friday, August 21, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) hosted a press conference at UC Santa Barbara’s (UCSB) OASIS Facility to highlight a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF grant will go towards UCSB’s COAST PCL, one of 20 facilities in a new national network of programmable cloud laboratories. Carbajal was joined by Dr. Rachel Segalman, Vice Chancellor for Research at UCSB; Dr. Ram Seshadri, Associate Dean for Research in The Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering; Dr. Javier Read de Alaniz, Co-Director of COAST PCL; and Dr. Chris Bates, Co-Director of COAST PCL.

Following the speaking program, Carbajal and the university leaders toured the COAST PCL laboratory.

Download photos here.

The $20 million grant will be used to create a remotely accessible, AI- and robotics-enabled laboratory for discovering new polymers and soft materials. Researchers anywhere in the country will be able to design experiments online, have robots conduct the experiments at UCSB, and receive and analyze the results without having to travel to the university.

The initial research focus will be sequence-defined polymers and biomolecular materials, with potential applications in medicine, energy, electronics, aerospace, and other advanced technologies. Additional background is available here.

“As a proud Gaucho, I am thrilled to highlight this $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support UC Santa Barbara’s COAST PCL project,” said Rep. Carbajal. “With this federal investment, UC Santa Barbara will host state-of-the-art programmable cloud laboratories, allowing researchers from across the country to perform experiments completely remotely. The work conducted right here on the Central Coast will revolutionize materials research and lay the foundation for breakthroughs across many industries, from medicine and construction to advanced aerospace and energy technology. I will keep fighting in Congress to bring our tax dollars back home to support world-changing projects like this one.”

"We are grateful to Congressman Salud Carbajal for his unwavering support of UC Santa Barbara and the pioneering research made possible through federal investment," said Rachel Segalman, UC Santa Barbara’s vice chancellor for research and a professor of materials and chemical engineering,” said Rachel Segalman, UC Santa Barbara’s vice chancellor for research and a professor of materials and chemical engineering. “AI is changing how we approach scientific discovery, but it cannot discover new materials on its own. AI needs high-quality experimental data to learn from and validate its predictions. COAST creates a powerful connection between AI, computation and experimentation, allowing researchers to generate new data, learn from it, and move more quickly toward materials that could have applications ranging from medicine and water purification to microelectronics.”

“COAST PCL is a testament to The Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering’s proud tradition of materials discovery,” said Ram Seshadri, the associate dean for research and a distinguished professor of materials, and chemistry & biochemistry. “For decades, our faculty have advanced the fundamental understanding of materials while building a culture of collaboration and shared infrastructure that allows ambitious ideas to flourish. This new investment builds on that legacy and on Dean Umesh Mishra’s vision for OASIS as a bridge between laboratory discovery and real-world impact. COAST PCL will be a key part of realizing that vision and shaping how the next generation of materials are discovered.”

“What excites me most about COAST PCL is the opportunity to rethink how experiments are designed and carried out,” said materials professor Chris Bates, who will serve as co-director of COAST PCL. “By automating workflows and making them remotely accessible, we can move toward a model where sophisticated materials research is available to anyone, anywhere, at any time. That has the potential not only to accelerate discovery, but to fundamentally change how the next generation of scientists and engineers approaches experimentation.”

“COAST PCL is about changing what is possible in materials research. A researcher anywhere in the country will be able to design an experiment remotely, have our automated systems carry it out here at OASIS, and use the resulting data to decide what to test next,” said Javier Read de Alaniz, co-director of COAST PCL and a professor of chemistry & biochemistry. “By combining remote access, robotics, and standardized data, we can accelerate discovery while giving a much broader community of researchers access to capabilities they otherwise might never have.”

Ventura/Santa Barbara County Telephone Town Hall

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:30:00 GMT

Residents of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties! – Join me on Wednesday, July 27th at 5:30 PM PDT for a live telephone town hall!

This is a chance for you to ask me questions, and get an updates from me on what I've been working on to help you and your family.

Sign up to be a part of this event at: https://carbajal.house.gov/live/

If you are a resident of San Luis Obispo County, I will be hosting a telephone townhall on July 20th to answer questions and address concerns for your region.

San Luis Obispo County Telephone Town Hall

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 21:30:00 GMT

San Luis Obispo County residents! – Join me on Wednesday, July 20th at 5:30 PM PDT for a live telephone town hall!

This is a chance for you to ask me questions, and get an updates from me on what I've been working on to help you and your family.

Sign up to be a part of this event at: https://carbajal.house.gov/live/

If you are a resident of Santa Barbara or Ventura County, I will be hosting a telephone townhall on July 27th to answer questions and address concerns for your region.