Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico proposes citizenship path for long-term undocumented residents

James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for the Texas Senate seat, called for a structured pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for many years and do not threaten public safety. He specified that eligibility would require paying back taxes, demonstrating English language ability and passing a criminal background check. Talarico framed the proposal as consistent with his self-identification as a "border security Democrat," arguing that knowing who enters the country is not a racist stance but a safety measure.

He stressed the importance of an orderly vetting process to protect both Americans and Texans. The remarks were made during a televised interview ahead of the midterm election, where he is locked in a tight contest with Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton for the seat being vacated by John Cornyn.