Over the weekend, Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego took to various locations in the Phoenix Valley, fielding questions from local media on President Trump's immigration enforcement policies and the potential ramp-up of ICE operations in the area. Senator Gallego's engagements included a stop at the Visionary Boxing Club to meet with boxing legend David Benavidez and a trip to Desert West Market in Avondale, where he engaged with small business owners.
As reported by Univision Arizona, the Senator addressed the potential increase of federal officer operations in the state, the extension of affordable health care subsidies, and shared his veteran perspective on the censure process against Senator Kelly. "Nosotros sabemos que si va a venir, pero no sabemos cuándo van a venir," Gallego stated in a trip that made them visible to varied demographics.
During an interview, Gallego raised questions about the Trump administration and its Secretary regarding the reassignment of key federal agents who typically investigate serious criminals to execute immigration arrests. "No sé que está ocurriendo, pero nosotros sabemos que los investigadores de violencia de secuestro ahora están trabajando, buscando por el cocinero, el mecánico," Gallego told Univision Arizona. He voiced his concern over the federal agents withdrawn, fretting about the unknown number pulled from Arizona specifically.
Additionally, Gallego touched on the tragic death of a U.S. citizen mother in Minnesota at the hands of ICE agents, emphasizing the danger the operation poses to all, according to the same Univision Arizona coverage. "Cuando viene ICE. Por favor – especialmente si eres latino y si eres ciudadano, todavía vas a necesitar tus papeles. Están encarcelando Americanos. Tengan cuidado cuando están protestando contra la migra," he cautioned, in an effort that seemed for preparing the community for possible ICE encounters.
In a similar vein, Telemundo Arizona reached out to Senator Gallego during a press briefing asking about any intel on increased immigration agent activities in Arizona. "Sabemos que sí van a venir, pero no sabemos cuándo van a venir. Cuando viene ICE, por favor. Especialmente si eres latino y si eres ciudadano, todavía vas a necesitar tus papeles, porque esta organización de ICE la migra y todos están encarcelando americanos, latinos y con documentación," Senator Gallego remarked.
