Talarico talks immigration in Austin, does not address ICE shooting at event
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico outlined his vision for immigration reform during an appearance at the Texas Tribune Festival on Thursday, arguing that enforcement and compassion need not be competing priorities in border policy.
Speaking at the three-day festival in downtown Austin, which featured over 250 speakers and more than 100 sessions on American democracy and policy issues, the current Texas House District 50 representative addressed immigration amid heightened attention on enforcement practices following Sunday's shooting of Venezuelan national Wilber Garces Perez by an ICE agent in North Austin.
"We can have a system that keeps out people who mean to do us harm and welcomes folks who want to contribute to this nation. That is absolutely possible."
Talarico told festival attendees. He did not specifically reference the North Austin incident during his Thursday remarks.
The state representative, who has served in the Texas House since January 2023 and is currently studying at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, had previously responded to Sunday's shooting on social media, writing "This isn't law enforcement. It's lawlessness."
Talarico emphasizes balanced approach to immigration
Talarico, who raised $20.7 million through February during the Democratic primary campaign, emphasized that voters reject what he characterized as a false choice between security measures and humanitarian concerns.
"I think what people are tired of is those two things being pitted against each other. Of us being told, you gotta pick between security and welcoming the stranger. And we don't have to pick between those things."
Texas immigration context
The immigration debate carries particular significance in Texas, which is home to an estimated 1.6 million to 2 million undocumented immigrants, the second-largest population in the country after California. The state also hosts approximately 200,000 Venezuelan immigrants, representing about 14 percent of all Venezuelans in the United States and making Texas the second-largest destination state after Florida.
Texas has expanded local cooperation with federal immigration authorities through 287(g) agreements, which deputize local officers to assist with enforcement. By February 2026, the state had 303 such agreements, among the highest in the nation alongside Florida's 342.
Senate race dynamics
Talarico faces Republican nominee Ken Paxton, who defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a May primary runoff with 63 percent of the vote, ending Cornyn's three-decade electoral dominance. Paxton has served as Texas Attorney General since 2015 and survived an impeachment trial in the Texas Senate in 2023 on charges including bribery and abuse of public trust. He also settled a securities fraud case by paying nearly $300,000 in restitution.
Neither Paxton nor other prominent Texas Republicans, including Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz, have publicly commented on Sunday's shooting. The Texas Tribune said it invited Paxton to speak at the festival but had not received a response from his team. Paxton's campaign also did not respond to requests for comment about the incident as of Thursday afternoon.
Talarico has challenged Paxton to a debate on Fox News.
Political impact uncertain
James Henson, Director of the Texas Politics Project, suggested the shooting incident may not significantly shift the political landscape, though it could provide Democrats with a messaging opportunity.
"Republican voters are likely to be reserving judgment on what happened here. They favor strict immigration enforcement and are probably not gonna be moved by criticism here very much. I think we'll see when we see polling numbers. I think it probably doesn't have a huge impact that we'll be able to trace directly to this. I think ultimately it's better story for Democrats than it is for Republicans when it comes to both of their efforts to win in November."
The incident occurs against a backdrop of increased tensions around immigration enforcement in Texas. In September 2025, a shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas left two detainees dead and another wounded, highlighting ongoing conflicts surrounding immigration operations in the state.
