{"id":15414,"date":"2026-07-24T06:06:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T01:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=15414"},"modified":"2026-07-24T06:06:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T01:06:24","slug":"james-talaricos-past-ice-detention-comments-resurface-in-texas-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=15414","title":{"rendered":"James Talarico&#8217;s past ICE detention comments resurface in Texas race"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"beyondwords-wrapper\" data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"beyondwords-wrapper\">\n<p><span class=\"label-bg\">NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">During a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=arMR1niOENQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">2019 interview<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">&#8220;I think I was struck by the conditions these folks were being held in,&#8221; Talarico said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;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,&#8221; Talarico said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">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.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3923394\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/progressive-talarico-knifes-bidens-open-border-tries-moderate-stance-key-issues-texas-senate-race\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PROGRESSIVE TALARICO KNIFES BIDEN&#8217;S OPEN BORDER, TRIES MODERATING STANCE ON KEY ISSUES IN TEXAS SENATE RACE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/343\/192\/james-talarico-primary-election-2026-texas-midterms-002.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/686\/384\/james-talarico-primary-election-2026-texas-midterms-002.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/672\/378\/james-talarico-primary-election-2026-texas-midterms-002.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1344\/756\/james-talarico-primary-election-2026-texas-midterms-002.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/931\/523\/james-talarico-primary-election-2026-texas-midterms-002.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1862\/1046\/james-talarico-primary-election-2026-texas-midterms-002.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/720\/405\/james-talarico-primary-election-2026-texas-midterms-002.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1440\/810\/james-talarico-primary-election-2026-texas-midterms-002.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200\/675\/james-talarico-primary-election-2026-texas-midterms-002.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"James Talarico speaking at a primary election watch party in Austin, Texas.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Texas 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.<\/span> <span>(Eric Gay\/AP Photo)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">During his campaign, Talarico has drawn scrutiny for walking a tightrope between traditionally Democratic criticisms on President Donald Trump\u2019s border enforcement measures and appearing too soft on border policy.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">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 <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3923395\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/james-talarico-enlists-barack-obama-help-win-over-black-voters-after-contentious-texas-primary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">President Barack Obama\u2019s record on immigration<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">In one 2019 remark, Talarico famously called Obama the &#8220;deporter-in-chief.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">His past comments have left some observers believing his record makes the case for him.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;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,&#8221; Zach Kraft, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC), said in a statement, referring to detentions <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3923396\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/news\/2026\/07\/21\/ice-arrests-previously-deported-illegal-alien-enticement-child-south-dakota\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">highlighted by<\/a> the Department of Homeland Security.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3923397\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/ice-arrests-15-illegal-immigrants-convictions-including-homicide-rape-child-sex-crimes-weekend\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>ICE ARRESTS 15 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITH CONVICTIONS INCLUDING HOMICIDE, RAPE AND CHILD SEX CRIMES OVER WEEKEND<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/343\/192\/ice-agent.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/686\/384\/ice-agent.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/672\/378\/ice-agent.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1344\/756\/ice-agent.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/931\/523\/ice-agent.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1862\/1046\/ice-agent.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/720\/405\/ice-agent.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1440\/810\/ice-agent.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1200\/675\/ice-agent.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Baltimore Field Officer\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Baltimore Field Officer director Matt Elliston listens during a briefing, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md.<\/span> <span>(Alex Brandon\/AP Photo)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Talarico is a true radical and fully committed to defunding the police, knocking down President Trump&#8217;s border wall and welcoming millions of illegal aliens into America,&#8221; Kraft added.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">At the same time, Talarico has voiced concern about the government\u2019s effective use of resources on the border and whether its investments are being reflected in its detention operations.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He raised the issue in the 2019 interview.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;How are we spending close to a billion dollars every year on <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3923398\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/us\/immigration\/border-security\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">border security<\/a> when these border patrol agents told us firsthand they didn\u2019t have the resources, basic logistical items that would help the situation better for them and for the people being held?&#8221; Talarico said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Talarico argued that poor standards don\u2019t speak to individual facility needs but rather reflect broader problems with immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;This is not a matter of some bad apples at a Border Patrol station. This is a systemic problem that even the Border Patrol agents identified as something morally wrong and something that needed to be solved,&#8221; Talarico said in an interview.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;I believe this is a statewide problem; this is a stain on all of our reputations. It violates a lot of the values we have as Texans.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Texas spent roughly $800 million on border security in 2019, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lbb.texas.gov\/Documents\/Publications\/Presentation\/5667_Bord.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">according to<\/a> the state\u2019s legislative budget board.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3923400\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/talarico-makes-stunning-claim-about-why-he-thinks-texas-elections-arent-free-fair\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TALARICO MAKES STUNNING CLAIM ABOUT WHY HE THINKS TEXAS ELECTIONS AREN&#8217;T &#8216;FREE AND FAIR&#8217;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/343\/192\/GettyImages-Eloy-Detention-Center.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/686\/384\/GettyImages-Eloy-Detention-Center.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/672\/378\/GettyImages-Eloy-Detention-Center.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1344\/756\/GettyImages-Eloy-Detention-Center.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/931\/523\/GettyImages-Eloy-Detention-Center.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1862\/1046\/GettyImages-Eloy-Detention-Center.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/720\/405\/GettyImages-Eloy-Detention-Center.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1440\/810\/GettyImages-Eloy-Detention-Center.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1200\/675\/GettyImages-Eloy-Detention-Center.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"A cactus and sign mark the entrance to the Eloy Detention Facility\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>A cactus and sign mark the entrance to the Eloy Detention Facility for illegal immigrants on July 30, 2010.<\/span> <!----><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">When pressed for more details about Talarico\u2019s ideal detainment conditions a reality, his campaign pointed to his border security plan he recently unveiled.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;James supports stronger border security and safe, secure, and humane detention facilities. He\u2019s the only candidate in this race to unveil a border security agenda endorsed by Republicans and Democrats that will add more border patrol agents and improve technology at the border to better detect threats. For too long, both parties have failed our border communities by grandstanding on the issue instead of finding real solutions. James is running for Senate to keep our country safe by deporting criminals instead of locking up moms, babies and small business owners who have been contributing to our economy for decades,&#8221; a campaign spokesperson said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Having secured the Democratic nomination, Talarico will face <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3923402\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/media\/republicans-uniting-beat-talerico-paxton-tells-ruthless\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Republican nominee Ken Paxton<\/a> in the Nov. 3 general election.<\/p>\n<p> <!----> <!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p>Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! 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. &#8220;I think I was struck by the conditions these folks were&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15415,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/james-talarico-primary-election-2026-texas-midterms-002.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-political-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15414"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15414\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}