Updated at 10:16 p.m.: Revised to include information from O'Rourke's rally in Austin

EL PASO — Beto O'Rourke officially launched his presidential campaign Saturday, drawing a stark contrast with President Donald Trump and telling Americans that the nation can do better on many fronts, including developing a compassionate immigration system that secures the border.

"This is a campaign for America, for everyone in America," he said in his first stop of the day in El Paso. "This is our moment of truth, and we cannot be found wanting."

In his return to Texas, O'Rourke focused heavily on the Texas narrative that he used to rise from El Paso council member to a groundbreaking Senate candidate who came within three percentage points of incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and raised a record $80 million for the Senate campaign.

1 / 7Beto O'Rourke embraces his sister, Erin O'Rourke, after speaking at a presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday.(Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer) 2 / 7Beto O'Rourke embraces his daughter Molly after speaking at a presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019.(Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer) 3 / 7Beto O'Rourke's wife, Amy Hoover Sanders and son, Henry O'Rourke, watch as O'Rourke speaks at a presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019.(Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer) 4 / 7Beto O'Rourke speaks at his presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019. (Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer) 5 / 7Beto O'Rourke speaks at a presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019. (Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer) 6 / 7A woman in the crowd wipes a tear from her eye as Beto O'Rourke speaks at a presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019.(Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer) 7 / 7Fans cheer as Beto O'Rourke speaks at his presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019. (Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer)

O'Rourke used El Paso, the border community he calls one of the safest cities in America, as a symbol of his message: "We are safe not despite the fact that we are a city of immigrants and asylum-seekers. We are safe because we are a city of immigrants and asylum-seekers."

As "Viva Beto" signs went up, O'Rourke said: "El Paso to me represents America at its very best. For more than 100 years this community has welcomed generations of immigrants from across the Rio Grande."

The rally, which preceded stops in Houston and Austin, played out against the backdrop of a divided country. Migrant families, mostly from Central America, gathered under the El Paso del Norte International Bridge in conditions that immigrant advocates call inhumane.

During O'Rourke's speech, a small group of pro-Trump demonstrators shouted, "USA, USA!" and booed.

And ahead of Saturday's events, the Republican National Committee slammed O'Rourke over his stands on abortion, climate change and what they called a lack of policy proposals. But the biggest criticism was over border security.

"Beto O'Rourke kicks off his campaign today with zero awareness of the crisis our nation faces at our southern border, continuing to advocate for no barriers," committee spokeswoman Christiana Purves said. "Texans deserve better than a leader who would increase the flow of drugs and crime by weakening our border security."

On Saturday, O'Rourke said as president he would develop comprehensive immigration reform, improve and fund prekindergarten to 12th-grade education, make college more affordable, develop a universal health care plan and refocus the country on the need to combat climate change.

His ambitious, progressive agenda included promoting greater voter participation by ending the gerrymandering of legislative districts and allowing voters to register to vote and cast ballots before and on the day of elections. He would also end the prohibition of marijuana and curb the school-to-prison pipeline that severely impacts communities of color.

And the former congressman said in Houston that as president he would wipe away student loan debts for doctors and others who provide services to America's veterans.

"There's nothing wrong with this country right now that we can't make right — right now," O'Rourke said in Houston.

O'Rourke, largely because of his Texas roots, considers himself uniquely qualified to be the Democratic Party's standard bearer and warrior against the formidable Trump.

The issue of immigration looms large in O'Rourke's campaign for president.

His kickoff speeches come as the crisis situation is unfolding at the border. Trump, citing increased crossings, has threatened to close the border next week.

O'Rourke mentioned border and immigration issues several times, including in Spanish, saying there is an opportunity for change.

"If we are really serious about security, we have a golden opportunity — Republicans, independents and Democrats alike — to work on comprehensive immigration reform to rewrite this country's immigration laws in our own image with our own values, and in the best traditions of the United States of America," he said.

Speaking on South El Paso Street, just blocks from Ciudad Juarez, O'Rourke quoted civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. He said the two cities were caught in "an inescapable network tied in a single garment of destiny."

In the crowd were his family, including his mother, Melissa, and childhood friends. One law enforcement official estimated the crowd to be in the "thousands."

The 46-year-old former congressman is not Hispanic, but observers say his border roots set him apart in a crowded Democratic field.

"His upbringing and political career are anchored in a bicultural community, and he can speak with some understanding about how issues like immigration and nativism have an impact on a community and to an extent, the country," said Richard Pineda, director of the Sam Donaldson Center for Communications Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso. "Given our current moment politically, I suspect this goes a long way in O'Rourke connecting with voters around the country."

Houston rally

In Houston, O'Rourke held a rally at Texas Southern University, a historically black school that presidential rival and California Sen. Kamala Harris visited earlier this month.

By 6 p.m., hundreds of people braved the rain to see O'Rourke.

He vowed to fight against institutional racism by improving education, ending mass incarceration and fighting the maternal mortality crisis that affects women of color.

O'Rourke praised Texans for boosting his Senate campaign as he asked for their help in running for the White House.

"You in 2018 gave us a preview of what democracy can look like," he said, adding that we're going to make sure that we meet every single one of our aspirations, not by half measure, and not by half of the country."

Joyce Williams, a federal worker from Longview, said she likes O'Rourke's focus on inclusion, particularly at a time when the country is so divisive.

"He has a message that doesn't exclude anybody," Williams said. "Right now we have a members-only attitude in our government, and that has to stop."

Williams said O'Rourke was the candidate who could put that nation back on track, and not return to the "hatred and divisiveness of the 1960s."

"We don't want to go back," she said. "Hatred of anyone is hatred of everyone."

Michael Rice attended the Houston rally with his mother and five children.

"I don't know if he will be the candidate, but he's giving us all hope," Rice said. "After years of feeling hopelessness, it's nice to have a candidate with optimism."

Carol Rice, Michael's mother, said she gave money to O'Rourke's losing Senate campaign against Cruz, the first time she's ever given to a political candidate.

"I like him, but I'm not there yet for Beto O'Rourke for president," she said. "I need to hear more."

O'Rourke on Saturday took some clear shots at the president.

“The powerful have maintained their privilege at the expense of the powerless,” he said in El Paso. “They have used fear and division in the same way that our current president uses fear and division."

Then he said he'd strengthen ties with traditional allies, alluding to Trump's focus on countries like Russia and North Korea.

"Let's end these love affairs with dictators and strongmen all over the world," O'Rourke said.

One of El Paso's own

Many in the predominantly Hispanic El Paso crowd simply embraced him as one of their own.

"He's from the border," said Laura Avila, 72. "He speaks with our voice for the country. I feel like I have known him all my life."

Next to her, Rosa Avalos, 63, said, "Beto is what America needs right now to help us come together. Look at that," she added, pointing to the Trump supporters. "This is really so sad to watch. We're better than this as a country. I still believe that."

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, arrives at a Beto O'Rourke presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019. (Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer)

Rep. Veronica Escobar, the freshman Democrat who replaced O'Rourke in Congress, warmed up the crowd before his speech.

"Welcome to the beautiful, magical, safe and secure U.S.-Mexico border," she said. "The eyes of the nation are watching. ... We have two people who have made that happen. The first is Donald Trump, and the second is our friend Beto O'Rourke.”

His wife, Amy, also talked before O'Rourke took the El Paso stage about what drives him.

"Listening to people is what gives Beto strength," she said. "It fuels him. And it gives him context which he can think about policy and the things he wants to do for this great country. The people of this country are its greatest gift, and we are so excited to embark on this journey with all of you together."

A fast start

O'Rourke has spent two weeks on the campaign trail in early-contest states: Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. He played to enthusiastic crowds and garnered significant media attention.

Perhaps just as significant is his stout fundraising. On the first day of his campaign, he raised $6.1 million, more than any of the other candidates on their first days.

The combination of campaign cash, celebrity appeal and early positioning in various polls has made him a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination.

A recent poll by Quinnipiac University has O'Rourke trailing former Vice President Joe Biden, who hasn't entered the race, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. California Sen. Kamala Harris was fourth, behind O'Rourke. But an Iowa poll had him somewhat scuffling with only 5 percent of the vote.

He's had some early stumbles. While in Iowa he had to apologize for joking that his wife raises their three kids "sometimes with my help," while conceding that he's white and privileged.

Still, analysts say O'Rourke has been impressive.

"His 2018 Senate campaign and the 2018 result put him in the conversation, along with his ability to raise money," said Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of the nonpartisan Inside Elections newsletter. "He's going to be a factor."

Austin appearance

O'Rourke's final stop of the day was in Austin, where thousands crowded Congress Avenue to hear the candidate.

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What motivates her to want to see O'Rourke in the flesh for the first time, she was asked.

"He's attractive," Gonzalez shot back with a laugh. "I agree with a lot of his policies like immigration. He thinks we should do away with the Electoral College because there's no point to it. He thinks everybody should get health care."

Retirees Raymond and Cathy Johnson, despite infirmities that have disability placards hanging from their portable camping chairs, drove from their home in Roanoke in northeast Tarrant County to O'Rourke's Austin event.

"Things are so out of shape right now," explained Raymond Johnson, a retired Los Angeles sheriff's patrol officer and lifelong Democrat.

He and his wife, a retired American Airlines call center employee, both cited O'Rourke's "honesty" as their top reason for supporting him.

"He's not going to be for building walls or any of that stuff," Cathy Johnson.

Raymond Johnson said O'Rourke would be a much-needed unifier.

"He's trying to make America like a big family, which it should be," he said. "Where people trust each other and love each other."

1 / 4Rosa Guerrero (center) of El Paso sings along with the national anthem at a Beto O'Rourke presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019. (Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer) 2 / 4From left: Carlos Chavez,. Bill Smith and Stella Alvarez, all of El Paso, talked before the start of a Beto O'Rourke presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019. "It's his decency representing the USA," Alvarez said of Beto O'Rourke. "He stands for everyone. He stands for humanity."(Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer) 3 / 4Karen Layne of Las Cruces talked to her dad, Frank Mangold, 91, of Las Cruces prior to the start of a Beto O'Rourke presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019. "For me, it's because he's honest," Layne said of Beto O'Rourke. "He's young. He's Kennedy like."(Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer) 4 / 4Josh Simmons, 32, of El Paso hands out campaign placards prior to the start of a Beto O'Rourke presidential campaign kickoff rally in downtown El Paso on Saturday, March 30, 2019.(Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer)

Gromer Jeffers Jr. reported from Houston and Alfredo Corchado reported from El Paso. Austin Bureau chief Robert T. Garrett contributed to this report.