Democratic Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego is stepping into one of Washington’s most heated and difficult political challenges as he presents a plan on Monday to reform the country’s immigration system and strengthen border security.
Gallego, who narrowly defeated Republican Kari Lake in last fall’s Senate race, is proposing to hire more Border Patrol agents, use technology to stop fentanyl smuggling, reform the asylum process, expand legal immigration pathways, and provide a route to citizenship for certain immigrants.
His plan is being released three months into President Donald Trump’s new term, during which Trump is pushing for mass deportations. Although Gallego’s proposal — like others from Democrats — is unlikely to gain momentum with Trump in office, it shows that the conversation about legislative solutions continues.
Many lawmakers have attempted to overhaul immigration laws without success. In 2023 and 2024, a small group of senators led by Gallego’s predecessor, Kyrsten Sinema, spent months negotiating a border bill that aimed to tighten asylum rules for migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border, hire more asylum officers and Border Patrol agents, and provide funding to local governments handling rising numbers of migrants.
That effort was quickly blocked just hours after the bill was introduced.
Donald Trump talks to the mediaThe most recent significant attempt at immigration reform was in 2013, when a bipartisan group of senators passed a bill in the Senate that included a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, more work visas, stronger border enforcement, and employer verification requirements. That bill, however, was rejected by the House.
Some elements of Gallego’s plan could attract bipartisan backing, like his border security proposals. But parts of it, such as providing legal status to people in the U.S. without documentation, are likely to stir controversy.
“We don’t have to choose between border security and immigration reform. We can and should do both,” Gallego said in a news release Monday. He added, “For decades, Congress has tried and failed to take action because politics got in the way. It’s time to push forward and enact a plan that works.”
Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, succeeded Sinema, a former Democrat who became an Independent and was often involved in shaping immigration and border policy.
More legal immigration options
Gallego believes that strict enforcement alone won’t solve immigration issues. He supports pairing it with increased opportunities for legal entry into the U.S.
The plan proposes raising the number of certain visas and Green Cards, eliminating or raising “arbitrary per-country caps,” creating new visa types, expanding refugee resettlement, and speeding up citizenship for immigrants who serve in the military.
He also proposes phasing in E-Verify, a system to check if job applicants are legally allowed to work in the U.S., though it has faced pushback due to fears of labor shortages.
A pathway to citizenship
Gallego supports a path to citizenship for immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, citing moral and economic reasons.
While there’s no precise count, some estimates suggest this could affect as many as 3.4 million people.
The plan would also allow spouses of U.S. citizens who are undocumented to gain citizenship. A similar plan by President Joe Biden last year, which would have helped about 550,000 people, was blocked by a judge.
Border security improvements
Gallego points out that while migrant numbers at the border began to drop in June of last year, there could be future surges, so preparations are needed now. He recommends better pay and safety measures to help hire and retain Border Patrol agents, along with investing in technology and infrastructure to detect smuggling activities. He wants ICE to focus on deporting individuals who are considered security risks.
He’s also proposing federal funds to support communities affected by migrant surges, especially in Arizona’s border towns.
Asylum process changes
Gallego wants to ease the burden on immigration courts by hiring more asylum officers and giving them authority to decide cases. His plan would raise the standard for asylum eligibility and reduce access during times of high border activity.
Addressing root causes
Gallego believes the U.S. should examine why people are leaving their countries and work to address those underlying issues.
