Community Transformation Alliance and Eagle Pass SAFE Participated in Washington, D. C. Legislative Trip

By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Community Transformation Alliance and EP SAFE participated in a legislative trip to Washington, D.C., from September 15 through September 18, giving local representatives an opportunity to engage congressional offices and discuss issues affecting Eagle Pass and Maverick County.

The local delegation included CTA staff members Eli Reyes Diaz, Diana Arévalo, Izabella Roig and Leticia Perez. CTA board members Elsa Villalpando and Alex Brazier also attended.

EP SAFE was represented by Elias Diaz, Brenda Roig, Vanessa Mancha, McKayla Hernandez and Sebastian Gutierrez. Yaraida Alexander of Manos Unidas also participated in the trip.

During the visit, the delegation met with U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, whose 28th Congressional District includes Eagle Pass and Maverick County.

The group also visited the offices of several members of Congress, including Texas representatives Joaquin Castro, Lloyd Doggett, Al Green, Sylvia Garcia, Veronica Escobar, Greg Casar, Jasmine Crockett, Christian Menefee, Craig Goldman and Pat Fallon.

Additional congressional office visits included the offices of representatives Lauren Underwood of Illinois, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Sarah McBride of Delaware and Nikema Williams of Georgia, as well as Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernández Rivera.

The itinerary also included visits to the offices of U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas and Ruben Gallego of Arizona.

The legislative trip gave CTA and EP SAFE representatives an opportunity to share the experiences, concerns and priorities of families living along the Texas-Mexico border while establishing relationships with federal policymakers.

CTA works to strengthen the community by bringing residents and organizations together, developing local leadership and encouraging civic participation. EP SAFE works alongside young people and other community members to promote safer environments, strengthen youth voices and support positive community change.

In addition to the congressional office visits, the delegation participated in leadership development, educational and cultural activities.
The itinerary included a tour of the U.S. Capitol, a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino and a professional learning and engagement meeting focused on discussion, evaluation and future steps.

Participants also visited several historic landmarks, including the Washington Monument, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and the White House.