AUSTIN – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) addressed attendees at the 2026 UnidosUS Annual Conference during “The Moment Before Us — Fulfilling the Promise of America” plenary session. 

“Just days ago, right here in Texas, a family in Carlton received the news every parent dreads. I know my mom, certainly when I was in war, faced this fear every day,” said Senator Gallego. “Army Private Isabella Gonzalez, just 19 years old, one year out of high school, was killed in Jordan in this stupid war with Iran. 19 years old, she volunteered to step up and defend our country like so many people in our community do.”

“And yet, while this young Latina is out there, Isabella, giving her life to this country, back home, our people are being targeted for who they are. In Houston, Lorenzo Salgado, a 52-year-old construction worker and father of three US citizens, was shot and killed by ICE agents. He wasn’t even the target,” he continued. “He was just a Latino man waking up, driving a van, going to work to feed his family like many of our fathers and brothers and cousins have. And 30 years ago, I would have been one of those men in those vans.” 

After the remarks, Senator Gallego participated in a fireside chat with UnidosUS President, Janet, Murguía.

He said the below on the following topics. 

On housing affordability: “We need to have a massive government investment in getting these young families, doesn’t matter what race you are, into homes, or else we’re going to doom this generation to poverty.” 

On supporting Latino veterans: “We need to figure out how to approach these veterans, both female and male, through digital, through text messaging, through whatever means to actually get them the benefits and for them to understand what they can do. You could get a housing benefit, you could get scholarships, we could get you into an apartment, but a lot of times it’s just the access to information that you never get.” 

On optimism for the Latino community: “Latinos still have this glimmer of hope and belief in this country. I think that’s really what’s still driving me every day to keep fighting for them because they keep fighting for this country too. And I think we have to hang on to something, especially when things are getting as dark as they are now.” 

Watch the full speech and fireside chat here.

This past year, Senator Gallego has also spoken at NALEO’s 43rd annual conference, LULAC’s 2026 National Convention, UnidosUS’ Prosperity Forward Convening, and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals’ 2026 Homeownership & Housing Policy Conference.