Overview and Introduction

Bob Filner's office in Chula Vista acts as the "eyes and ears in the community," said District Chief of Staff Humberto Peraza. The purpose of the office is help the 51st District House Representative and self-proclaimed "Border Congressman" serve his constituents by representing constituents who bring cases to his staff concerning citizenship or other needs dealing with federal agencies. The staff also hits the pavement to seek out those issues concerning residents most, so they can inform the Congressman, who might present such concerns before Congress and propose a legislative solution. Staff members are each assigned to one or more of the following issues or geographic locations: health care, labor, Sentri passes at the U.S.-Mexican border, immigration, veterans' affairs, military, African American, Latino, Jewish, Asian-American, Muslim and gay communities and the cities of Chula Vista and National City.

Veterans' affairs and immigration remain at the top of the staffs agenda, because of Filner's position as the Chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and his district's location next to the border.

This is an important office in San Diego County, because it helps represent and speak on behalf of a large portion of our county. Furthermore, our location makes immigration a hot-button topic. Immigration debates have always been present but continue to escalate as elections near. The 51st District office communicates the needs of the area closest to the border to Congress, where legislation can be introduced that might drastically change the border region and immigration policy.

Filner's Web site