Border Patrol union denounces James Talarico’s immigration record in Texas Senate race
The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), representing more than 17,000 border‑patrol officers, issued a statement on October 15 accusing Democrat James Talarico of endangering U.S. border security ahead of his Texas Senate campaign.
According to the union, Talarico voted against a series of Texas bills aimed at strengthening border enforcement, including 2021 House Bill 9 that allocated $1.8 billion for border security, 2023 House Bill 7 that created a Border Protection Unit, and several 2023 Senate bills that would have increased penalties for human smuggling and funded additional barriers. In 2025 he opposed Senate Bill 8, which would have required local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration agents.
Talarico’s public remarks have also drawn criticism. The NBPC cited a 2023 interview in which Talarico labeled border‑security funding “wasting money on dumb things” and described immigration enforcement actions as “atrocities.” He has called for “pathways to citizenship” for illegal aliens, a stance the union equated with amnesty.
The union’s statement quoted its spokesperson: “At least 25 million illegal aliens invaded the United States during the four years of the Biden administration. Openly advocating pathways to citizenship is not putting America First and will lead to the destruction of America as we know it.” The council warned that electing Talarico would be “a disaster for U.S. border security.”
Republican officials echoed the union’s concerns. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller posted on X that Talarico “supported, encouraged and enabled Biden’s decision to flood Texas with illegal alien criminals from 100+ nations.”
In response to the criticism, Talarico has argued that immigration enforcement should be humane. He has suggested that illegal immigrants could earn citizenship by paying fines, back taxes, and learning English, describing the U.S. border as a “welcome mat.” The candidate also previously called ICE a “secret police force” and advocated for eliminating the agency, though he later said he supports its role in enforcing immigration law.
The NBPC’s condemnation comes amid a heated 2026 Senate race in Texas, where border security remains a pivotal issue for voters. The union’s statement underscores the political stakes of immigration policy, framing Talarico’s record as antithetical to the “America First” agenda championed by many Texas constituents.
