What James Talarico Says About ICE

Across the U.S., and in Texas especially, ICE enforcement has left many families and faith communities living in fear. James Talarico, an eighth-generation Texan with family roots in Laredo, has spoken out about the agency and what he believes should change.

At rallies in Denton and Plano, James said: "This has never been about immigration. This has always been about control." He's called ICE a "secret police force" that should be torn down, and at an Austin rally told supporters, "ICE is terrorizing our country. It's time to stand up and fight back."

He says ICE should be redirected toward cartels, gang members, and traffickers — not "moms and babies" or small business owners. He wants ICE agents banned from wearing masks or refusing to identify themselves, a path to legalization for longtime undocumented immigrants and DREAMers, more immigration judges, and modern scanning technology at ports of entry.

After federal agents killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, Talarico said on a debate stage: "ICE shot a mother in the face... It's time to tear down this secret police force." When ICE later shot and killed Houston resident Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Talarico wrote, "Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was murdered by ICE... Lorenzo was our neighbor and fellow Texan. He deserves justice."