Arizona Senate rivals Kari Lake and Ruben Gallego attack each other on border security in debate

Arizona Senate candidates Republican Kari Lake and Democrat Ruben Gallego sparred over border security in a debate on Wednesday night.

Gallego accused Lake of opposing the bipartisan Senate deal on the border “not because there was a better option, but because she needs it."

Gallego said Lake "needs this talking point."

In response, Lake said that the law "did nothing to stop child sex trafficking." 

She also asked Gallego if he would support deporting any of the people who have crossed into the U.S. illegally since 2021. 

"Yes, actually, we should have proper deportation proceedings but I am think we shouldn't deport 'Dreamers,'" he said. 

Lake said she does not support deporting "Dreamers," who are able to reside in the U.S and work under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, or DACA, from 2012.

She mentioned cases of violent crimes involving illegal immigrants such as the murder of Laken Riley and said the border wall is needed to secure the border.

Gallego said he has supported border barriers “where needed, where our experts wanted it.” He said physical barriers should be coupled technology for border security.

Lake argued that Gallego "would rather pour $260 billion of your hard earned tax dollars into Ukraine to fight for their borders."