Gallego Anticipates Bipartisan Approach to Trump’s Immigration and Deportation Strategies

Sen. Ruben Gallego, recently elected, announced his stance on immigration during a press conference on Thursday. He expressed readiness to support the deportation of certain undocumented immigrants but did not specify which categories he had in mind.

As he prepares to take office on Friday, Gallego emphasized that it is too early to outline specific actions regarding potential mass deportation proposals from President Donald Trump. “We actually haven’t heard any plans,” Gallego stated in a Zoom call.

The urgency for clarification may arise soon. In a Phoenix address last month, Trump vowed to sign significant executive orders on his first day in office, aimed at curbing illegal immigration and initiating a wave of deportations that he claimed would surpass those of past administrations.

Trump’s remarks referenced a 1954 operation that deported approximately 1.1 million Mexican nationals, although estimates of that number vary. Current statistics from the Office of Homeland Security indicate around 11 million unauthorized immigrants reside in the U.S., while advocacy groups estimate that number could be as high as 13.8 million.

Gallego stated he and fellow Democrats will take a cautious approach. “We’re not going to just automatically knee-jerk and reject anything that comes from the White House,” he remarked, highlighting the need for clarity in Trump’s forthcoming proposals.

The senator also addressed recent national security incidents, asserting that such events should not hasten the confirmation process for Trump’s Cabinet nominees. “We want to ensure we have the right national security nominees,” he said, emphasizing the need for effective collaboration and intelligence within the administration.

Turning to local politics, Gallego expressed good wishes to Kari Lake, his potential opponent in the upcoming general election, if she is appointed to lead the Voice of America. He acknowledged her media experience but cautioned that misinformation must be avoided in that role.

On immigration policy, Gallego stressed the demand for enhanced border security, which he believes aligns with the priorities of Arizonans. He stated that while deportations should occur, practices like family separations are not what his constituents are advocating.

“I will actively work with Democrats and Republicans to fulfill that demand,” Gallego stated, underlining the need for collaboration to effectively address community concerns.

Despite his willingness to cooperate, Gallego made it clear there are limits. “When we feel that it’s actually bringing less security to Arizonans, then we’ll find ourselves at a loggerhead,” he explained, advocating for case-by-case evaluations of any proposals.

His election is historic, marking him as the first Latino senator from Arizona. Gallego affirmed his commitment to representing all Arizonans: “I will make all of Arizona proud.”

His victory over Lake, achieved by more than 80,000 votes, came with significant campaign expenditures. Recent reports revealed Gallego spent over $65 million on his campaign, not accounting for additional funding from supportive organizations.

In contrast, Lake reported a campaign outlay of $25.1 million, supported by limited outside funding. The disparity underscores the intense financial landscape of modern political campaigns.