Texas · U.S. Senate · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Where do the candidates stand on immigration?

Ken PaxtonRepublican
James TalaricoDemocrat

Part of the full Texas U.S. Senate comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026

Immigration

Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.

Documented positions

Proposes completing the border wall and deporting immigrants in the country illegally; called plans for border construction in Big Bend National Park "not smart border security."

Show the evidence (2)

Campaign proposal
His campaign says he would help President Trump finish the border wall, secure the border and deport immigrants in the country illegally, citing his lawsuits as attorney general against Biden administration border policies. 2 sourcesThe Fight at Hand (opens in a new tab)Ken Paxton for Senate · CampaignTexas U.S. Senator — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
Public statement
Called Trump administration plans for border construction in Big Bend National Park "not smart border security" and said he was pleased when construction was paused in August 2026. SourceTexas U.S. Senate 2026: Paxton, Talarico and Brown on the issues (opens in a new tab)The Texas Tribune · Oct. 13, 2026 · News

Campaign proposal
His campaign says he would help President Trump finish the border wall, secure the border and deport immigrants in the country illegally, citing his lawsuits as attorney general against Biden administration border policies. 2 sourcesThe Fight at Hand (opens in a new tab)Ken Paxton for Senate · CampaignTexas U.S. Senator — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
Public statement
Called Trump administration plans for border construction in Big Bend National Park "not smart border security" and said he was pleased when construction was paused in August 2026. SourceTexas U.S. Senate 2026: Paxton, Talarico and Brown on the issues (opens in a new tab)The Texas Tribune · Oct. 13, 2026 · News

Supports more Border Patrol agents, port-of-entry technology and immigration judges, combined with a path to citizenship for long-term residents, spouses and DREAMers.

Show the evidence (2)

Campaign proposal
Proposes hiring more Border Patrol agents and immigration judges, adding X-ray and other detection technology at ports of entry, focusing ICE on criminals and human traffickers, banning masked ICE agents, and creating a path to citizenship for long-term residents, spouses and DREAMers. 2 sourcesJames Talarico on Immigration & Border Security (opens in a new tab)Talarico for Texas · Jan. 2, 2026 · CampaignTexas U.S. Senator — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
Public statementOct. 14, 2026
Said at an Oct. 14, 2026 CNN town hall that he does not support abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after saying at a January 2026 primary debate it was "time to tear down this secret police force and replace it with an agency that actually is going to focus on public safety"; told The Texas Tribune he opposes building a border wall through Big Bend National Park. 2 sourcesTalarico tackles abortion, faith and ‘conspiracy theories’: Takeaways from the CNN & Jubilee town hall (opens in a new tab)CNN · Oct. 14, 2026 · NewsTexas U.S. Senate 2026: Paxton, Talarico and Brown on the issues (opens in a new tab)The Texas Tribune · Oct. 13, 2026 · News

Campaign proposal
Proposes hiring more Border Patrol agents and immigration judges, adding X-ray and other detection technology at ports of entry, focusing ICE on criminals and human traffickers, banning masked ICE agents, and creating a path to citizenship for long-term residents, spouses and DREAMers. 2 sourcesJames Talarico on Immigration & Border Security (opens in a new tab)Talarico for Texas · Jan. 2, 2026 · CampaignTexas U.S. Senator — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
Public statementOct. 14, 2026
Said at an Oct. 14, 2026 CNN town hall that he does not support abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after saying at a January 2026 primary debate it was "time to tear down this secret police force and replace it with an agency that actually is going to focus on public safety"; told The Texas Tribune he opposes building a border wall through Big Bend National Park. 2 sourcesTalarico tackles abortion, faith and ‘conspiracy theories’: Takeaways from the CNN & Jubilee town hall (opens in a new tab)CNN · Oct. 14, 2026 · NewsTexas U.S. Senate 2026: Paxton, Talarico and Brown on the issues (opens in a new tab)The Texas Tribune · Oct. 13, 2026 · News

Recorded votes on immigration

Selected votes

Measures only one of the two candidates voted on.

H.B. 12, enforcement of immigration laws by certain governmental entities (82nd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2011)
Immigration
Would have barred local governments and certain other governmental entities from adopting policies that prohibit enforcement of state or federal immigration law, or that prohibit their employees from asking about the immigration status of people lawfully detained or arrested.
Passed the Texas House 100–47 on May 10, 2011; the Senate did not pass it (last recorded action: a failed Senate motion to take it up on May 24, 2011).
3 sources82(R) History for HB 12 (opens in a new tab)Texas Legislature Online · Legislative record82(R) HB 12 - Engrossed version - Bill Text (opens in a new tab)Texas Legislature Online · May 2011 · Legislative recordHouse Journal, 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 73rd Day (Tuesday, May 10, 2011) (opens in a new tab)Texas House of Representatives · May 10, 2011 · Legislative record
Voted yes
Texas House of Representatives · May 10, 2011
On passage on third reading (Record 891)
2 sourcesHouse Journal, 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 73rd Day (Tuesday, May 10, 2011) (opens in a new tab)Texas House of Representatives · May 10, 2011 · Legislative record82(R) History for HB 12 (opens in a new tab)Texas Legislature Online · Legislative record

H.B. 9, supplemental appropriations for border security (87th Texas Legislature, 2nd Called Session, 2021)
Immigration
Appropriated state general revenue for border security over the two years beginning on its effective date, including $1,020,290,860 for border security grants through the trusteed programs of the Office of the Governor, $301,007,231 for Texas Military Department personnel and $133,506,725 for Department of Public Safety Operation Lone Star surge costs; the grant money could not be used to acquire property through eminent domain or to build a border barrier on property acquired that way.
Passed the Texas House on third reading 85–36, with 1 present, not voting, on Aug. 30, 2021 (Record 93); passed the Senate Sept. 1, 2021; signed by the governor Sept. 17, 2021, effective immediately.
3 sourcesHouse Journal, 87th Legislature, Second Called Session, 5th Day (Aug. 30, 2021) (opens in a new tab)Texas House of Representatives · Aug. 30, 2021 · Legislative record87(2) History for HB 9 (opens in a new tab)Texas Legislature Online · 2021 · Legislative record87(2) HB 9 - Enrolled version - Bill Text (opens in a new tab)Texas Legislature Online · Sept. 2021 · Legislative record
Voted no
Texas House of Representatives · Aug. 30, 2021
On passage on third reading (Record 93)
SourceHouse Journal, 87th Legislature, Second Called Session, 5th Day (Aug. 30, 2021) (opens in a new tab)Texas House of Representatives · Aug. 30, 2021 · Legislative record

In their own words

Statements

Immigration system
The American people deserve an immigration system that upholds public safety and helps our economy.
Ken Paxton · Written answer to the League of Women Voters' VOTE411 voter guide question on how he would modernize the immigration system · 2026
SourceTexas U.S. Senator — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire

Border security and immigration enforcement
We must hire more border patrol agents to stop illegal crossings, modernize ports of entry to detect threats before they enter the country, hire more asylum judges to process cases quickly, and focus ICE resources on deporting criminals instead of community members.
James Talarico · Written answer to the League of Women Voters' VOTE411 voter guide question on how he would modernize the immigration system · 2026
SourceTexas U.S. Senator — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire

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