Ken Salazar, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico under former President Joe Biden, has recently shed light on his growing frustrations with the administration's handling of border issues in his new book, "Borderlands: My Fight for an Inclusive America". Salazar, who has had a prolific career as a Democratic U.S. senator and Colorado attorney general, reveals in his memoir how these frustrations almost drove him to run for president himself.

For nearly four years, Salazar grappled with what he perceived as inadequate responses to the escalating border crisis. His calls for a dedicated "border czar" to streamline interagency efforts were unheeded, and he criticized the assignment of such responsibilities to then-Vice President Kamala Harris, which he deemed ineffective. Salazar's push for the White House to acknowledge the situation as a border "crisis" was met with reluctance, a stalling that he believes hampered the Democratic Party's stance on immigration.

The diplomat's book arrives at a critical time, juxtaposing his experiences and proposals against the backdrop of widespread pessimism towards President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation policies, yet a general public preference for Republican handling of immigration issues. Salazar offers a stark warning to his party: ignoring voter concerns on immigration could be perilous.

In "Borderlands", Salazar advocates for a "new North American alliance", reminiscent of JFK's Alliance for Progress. His vision includes an integrated approach to border enforcement and immigration policy, involving the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Despite his efforts, including consultations with potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2028, the response has been tepid.

Salazar also reflects on internal administration dynamics and the challenges faced by officials like DHS Secretary Mayorkas. His disillusionment peaked during a visit by President Biden to Mexico in 2023, after which he confided to his wife about the administration's apparent lack of direction.

Despite drafting a presidential campaign platform in 2024 after Biden's poor debate performance, Salazar stepped back when the Democratic Party opted for Harris as Biden's successor following his withdrawal from the race. This decision, which Salazar labels a "mistake", only added to his disillusionment.

As 2026 approaches, Salazar remains a pivotal figure in Democratic circles, not ruling out a potential presidential bid in 2028. His immediate focus, however, is on influencing the upcoming midterm elections with his borderlands platform.

Salazar’s memoir not only serves as a personal recount of his tenure and near-run for presidency but also as a manifesto urging a reconceptualization of North American border policy. Whether his warnings and recommendations resonate with the Democratic leadership and voters remains to be seen.