Vulnerable Border District Dem Leans Into ICE Resistance
12th July 2025
New Mexico Rep. Gabe Vasquez, a self-styled moderate Democrat, has ramped up his resistance to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement activities, a stark contrast to other vulnerable border district Democrats who have largely stayed silent on the issue.
Vasquez, a two-term Democrat from Las Cruces, denounced ICE raids in Los Angeles last month, accusing the Trump administration of “transforming our streets into war zones.” Vasquez voted against a resolution condemning riots that followed the raids, in which anti-ICE protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at ICE agents and set fire to police cars and other vehicles.
Vasquez has promoted other efforts to thwart ICE, advising undocumented constituents that they “do not have to open the door” to immigration agents.
“You do not have to share your immigration status or your place of birth,” Vasquez’s congressional website tells constituents. Vasquez also informs constituents that they “can report and document raids and arrests to share with attorneys and advocacy organizations.”
Vasquez’s advice comes amid multiple attacks on ICE agents in Portland, Ore., Alvarado, Tex., and McAllen, Tex., earlier this month.
Ask yourself why: Why are Democrats so invested with the ‘rights’ of illegal immigrants? In many cases, in competition with the American citizens who are their constituents?