During a 2019 interview following a visit to border enforcement, James Talarico, candidate for U.S.Senate in Texas, said he gauged the suitability of immigration detention facilities based on how he would treat his own family."I think I was struck by the conditions these folks were being held in," Talarico said."When I first walked in, I looked at one of the security monitors and saw these things strewn around the floor, and I realized they were human beings being held in these tiny rooms.
The standard I use is: would I allow my child, my parent, my grandparent to be held in one of these facilities? And the answer, after my visit, was a resounding no," Talarico said.His resurfaced comments continue to raise questions about his views on border policy as he looks to flip a Republican-held Senate seat in Texas.PROGRESSIVE TALARICO KNIFES BIDEN'S OPEN BORDER, TRIES MODERATING STANCE ON KEY ISSUES IN TEXAS SENATE RACETexas state Rep.James Talarico, D-Austin, a Democratic candidate for the U.S.
Senate, speaks at a primary election watch party Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Austin, Texas.(Eric Gay/AP Photo)During his campaign, Talarico has drawn scrutiny for walking a tightrope between traditionally Democratic criticisms on President Donald Trump’s border enforcement measures and appearing too soft on border policy.Like progressives in the party, Talarico has called on lawmakers to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has characterized voter ID requirements as a method to rig elections and, in the past, even criticized President Barack Obama’s record on immigration.In one 2019 remark, Talarico famously called Obama the "deporter-in-chief."His past comments have left some observers believing his record makes the case for him."There is a very concerning pattern with James Talarico siding with pedophiles, criminal illegal aliens and cartels while slandering the brave men and women of law enforcement who keep Texans safe," Zach Kraft, a spokesperson for the Re...