Ruben Gallego: Arizona’s First Latino Senator Open to Collaborating with Trump on Border Security

Arizona has welcomed its first Latino U.S. senator, Ruben Gallego, who expressed a willingness to collaborate with Donald Trump’s administration on border security issues. His comments resonate with a broader Democratic strategy of cautious engagement following the recent elections, which highlighted significant Republican successes and public anxiety over immigration.

At a Thursday news conference ahead of his official swearing-in, Gallego emphasized, “We’re not going to automatically just knee-jerk reject anything that comes from the White House. We’re going to wait and hear what their actual goals are.” This signals a shift towards a more pragmatic approach to policymaking.

Trump campaigned on a controversial mass deportation agenda, targeting an estimated 11 million undocumented individuals in the U.S. The former president has fluctuated between pledging to expel individuals with criminal records and advocating for sweeping deportations.

Gallego underscored the lack of specific details regarding Trump’s immigration strategy. He stressed that his constituents expect him to enhance the southern border’s security. While he expressed support for deporting “criminal aliens,” he distanced himself from policies like the 2018 Zero Tolerance Policy, which led to the separation of thousands of families.

“What Arizonans talked to me about is that they want more border security; they want more customs police officers,” Gallego noted. He added that there is no support for punitive measures such as family separations or the detention of children.

During the 2024 elections, immigration emerged as the predominant concern among voters, highlighted by soaring immigration rates in late 2023. In response, Arizona voters approved a ballot initiative that empowers local law enforcement to arrest and deport migrants, with 61% in favor of criminalizing unauthorized border crossings.

In light of these concerns, Gallego successfully secured a position on the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He aims to advocate for increased funding for border security and explore options for immigration reform.

Gallego’s election is not just a personal milestone; he sees it as a tribute to his Colombian immigrant mother. “When I’m sworn in, it’ll be for so much more than me,” he stated, celebrating his heritage and the challenges his family faced.

In addition to the Homeland Security committee, Gallego will serve on the Banking, Energy and Natural Resources, and Veterans’ Affairs committees, aligning his focus with key issues impacting Arizona, such as affordable housing and sustainable resources for veterans.