Aug 20, 2024 - Axios Events

Senate hopeful Gallego: Biden-Harris admin. hasn't done enough on immigration

Jessica Boehm

A man being interviewed on a stage with a sign that says, "Axios" and "Noticias Telemundo" in the backgorund. — U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego talks with Telemundo's Julio Vaqueiro at a DNC event. Photo: Taylor Glascock on behalf of Axios

Arizona U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego said the Biden-Harris administration has failed to do enough to address border security during a live interview from Axios House at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday.

Why it matters: As a border state representative, Gallego has worked to distance himself from the administration's unpopular immigration record.

The big picture: Gallego is running for the U.S. Senate seat left open when Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) decided not to seek reelection.

He faces Kari Lake, a former local news anchor and one of former President Trump's faithful supporters.

State of play: In a live interview moderated by Telemundo's Julio Vaqueiro, Gallego said the administration has not done a good job handling the border crisis, but noted that the Trump and Obama administrations failed in this area, as well.

Gallego said he supported the bipartisan immigration reform bill floated earlier this year, and criticized Republicans for tanking it at the bequest of Trump.

Zoom in: Gallego was the first Democrat to join Republicans in supporting a bill that would expedite Customs and Border Protection hiring.

"I think there's a lot of Democrats that don't understand you can be for border security and for immigration reform," Gallego said. "Latino voters actually understand this."

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Senate hopeful Gallego: Biden-Harris admin. hasn't done enough on immigration

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