From NPR · · 3m
Democrats won on immigration. ICE still has the money.
Voters rejected anti-immigrant policies and elected new Democratic leaders in Texas. But the Trump administration has the funding to continue mass deportations.
In brief
Voters rejected anti-immigrant policies and elected new Democratic leaders in Texas. But the Trump administration has the funding to continue mass deportations. Democrats won major victories on immigration in the midterms, but Congress gave ICE around two hundred forty billion dollars, enough to fund mass deportations…
A death shapes Texas voting
In the days before the midterms, hundreds left I voted stickers on a memorial for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Houston man killed by federal immigration agents earlier this year.
Texas flips Democratic on immigration
For the first time, Democrat Gina Hinojosa will be Texas governor. Texans also elected the state's first Democratic U.S. senator in nearly forty years, and the Texas House flipped.
Voters made immigration a priority
Immigration policy was one of the top issues on voters' minds this election, according to exit polling. Border counties that supported Trump in twenty twenty-four flipped Democratic.
Hispanic Republicans see a message
Artemio Muñiz of the Texas Federation of Hispanic Republicans said the Hispanic community got fed up with anti-immigrant policies and wants reasonable solutions including secured borders and legal pathways.
“with these anti-immigrant-type policies, I think the Hispanic community got fed up.”
Hinojosa faces calls to end ICE partnership
César Espinosa, executive director of Houston-based advocacy group FIEL, says ending the state's partnership with ICE can happen on day one. He also wants driver licenses for undocumented immigrants.
“That's something that can happen on day one.”
Advocates demand ICE defunding
Nationwide, immigration advocates say they want to see ICE defunded or severely restricted. Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigrant Coalition says the incoming Congress must hold ICE accountable.
“We demand that the incoming Congress hold ICE accountable.”
Garcia promises ICE oversight
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., set to chair the House oversight committee, has promised to investigate ICE accountability. He told Republicans on Election Day: Lawyer up.
“Lawyer up.”
ICE has a blank check
ICE is the highest funded federal law enforcement agency in the U.S. Congress awarded ICE and Customs and Border Patrol around two hundred forty billion dollars in twenty twenty-six.
Funding covers mass deportations
The two hundred forty billion dollars is enough to run the mass deportation operation for the remainder of Trump's term. Congress could claw back that money, but lawmakers face a major hurdle.
Trump promises to veto restrictions
Following the midterm election results, President Trump said he would welcome the nickname Mr. Veto. This signals he will block Congressional efforts to restrict ICE operations or claw back funding.
Miller takes charge of immigration
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller was promoted to chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles. Miller's central project has been immigration control and mass deportations.
Democrats seek Congressional leverage
Naureen Shah at the ACLU says Congressional oversight via subpoenas could change ICE behavior. ICE must fear losing funding and being asked hard questions before the American people.
“ICE has to be afraid. They have to be afraid of losing their funding, they have to be afraid of being subpoenaed and asked extremely hard questions before a live audience of the American people.”
Homeland Security vows to continue
The day after the midterm elections, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin posted: Deportations will continue. The Trump administration shows no sign of slowing enforcement operations.
“Deportations will continue.”
What matters most
Democrats won major victories on immigration in the midterms, but Congress gave ICE around two hundred forty billion dollars, enough to fund mass deportations through Trump's term.
