Dem Nominee Wants ‘Giant Welcome Mat’ On America’s Front Porch — And It Gets Crazier

“Our southern border should be like our front porch; there should be a giant welcome mat out front and a lock on the door.”

James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for Texas Senate, is facing heat over his previous comments that the border should be like a “giant welcome mat” for illegal immigrants.

Talarico secured a victory in the Democratic Senate primary in Texas on Tuesday over Rep. Jasmine Crockett. As of Wednesday morning, with 92% of the votes counted, Talarico has secured 53% of the vote while Crockett lags behind with 46%, according to the Associated Press.

“Our southern border should be like our front porch; there should be a giant welcome mat out front and a lock on the door,” Talarico said in the resurfaced clip, which was from a January debate between the two Democratic candidates.

FACT CHECK:@NRSC conveniently cut Talarico’s full quote:

“Our southern border should be like our front porch. There should be a giant welcome mat out front and a lock on the door.” https://t.co/YltkYf9b3W pic.twitter.com/d4aIFhZCwz

— JT Ennis (@jt_ennis) January 25, 2026

Senator John Cornyn, who will face a May 26 runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the Republican nomination, reacted to the clip in January, calling it “Completely unhinged.”

Completely unhinged https://t.co/yxKAslwL2Z

— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) January 24, 2026

Paxton also responded to the clip at the time, saying, “James, I don’t believe Texans feel the same.”

James, I don’t believe Texans feel the same. https://t.co/T4pyfSCoe1

— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) January 24, 2026

Talarico’s earlier statement appears to be his official stance on the border and immigration. His campaign website also states: “Most of us agree on what should happen. Our border should be like a front porch — it should have a welcome mat out front and a lock on the door.”

It adds: “We can both welcome the stranger — refugees, asylum seekers, and folks who want to contribute to our economy and pursue the American dream — and we can keep people out who mean to do us harm.”

The Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas, James Talarico, has repeatedly said the border “should have a giant welcome mat and a lock on the door.” pic.twitter.com/Mmc3Ami4yZ

— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) March 4, 2026

Talarico has made the statement during other stops along the campaign trail, including while visiting the southern border in El Paso.

In one of the earlier clips, Talarico said, “If anyone commits a violent crime in this country, they should be deported immediately,” adding, “Every law enforcement resource that is spent going after hard-working members of our community is law enforcement resources that aren’t spent on going after folks who are actually a threat to public safety.”