Newly elected Texas Senator James Talarico (D) launched a scathing attack on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a Wednesday appearance on ABC’s The View, comparing the agency to a “secret police force” that terrorizes immigrant communities.
Talarico, who flipped a Republican-held seat in the midterms, claimed Latino voters across Texas expressed fears that ICE agents could “kidnap” or harm their family members. He cited the case of Lorenzo Salgado, a Houston man who died during an encounter with immigration authorities, as evidence of the agency’s alleged brutality.
“Masked Men in Unmarked Vehicles”
The incoming senator painted a dramatic picture of ICE operations, describing agents as “masked men in unmarked vehicles” who instill fear in immigrant neighborhoods. “Many [Hispanic Texans] are worried their parents aren’t going to come home at the end of the day,” Talarico told the co-hosts.
His comments reflect growing progressive criticism of ICE, which has faced calls for abolition from the Democratic Party’s left flank since the Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns.
Push for Immigration Overhaul
Talarico positioned his ICE criticism as part of a broader push for immigration reform, accusing both parties of failing to address the issue. He called for legislation combining border security measures with a pathway to citizenship for long-term undocumented residents.
“We need members of Congress to hold this agency accountable,” Talarico said, while acknowledging the political challenges of passing major immigration legislation in a closely divided Congress.
The remarks signal Talarico’s intention to make immigration a central issue when he takes office in January, potentially putting him at odds with more moderate Texas Democrats and the state’s Republican leadership.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/11/04/talarico-we-have-to-take-on-ice-theyre-a-secret-police-force-hurting-our-neighbors/