Politics
Democrats face internal split over ICE messaging ahead of midterms
While party nominees broadly back border security, candidates and party leaders remain divided between reforming and abolishing the immigration enforcement agency.
The short version
- Democratic candidates across the country broadly support border security measures but are divided over whether to reform or abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Progressive nominees in some high-profile Senate races have advocated for abolishing ICE, while battleground and border-state moderates favor accountability safeguards and institutional reforms.
- Polling shows broad hesitation among general election swing voters toward dismantling the agency, creating strategic tensions for the party ahead of upcoming midterm elections.
Key facts
- A POLITICO/Public First poll conducted from August 8 to 12 found that 21 percent of undecided midterm voters, 51 percent of moderate Democrats, and 67 percent of progressive Democrats support abolishing ICE.[Politico]
- Democratic National Committee members in Austin passed dueling resolutions that simultaneously endorsed abolishing and reforming ICE.[Politico]
- Progressive Senate nominees including Maine's Troy Jackson and Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed have called to abolish ICE, whereas border-state candidates like Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar and Texas state Rep. James Talarico advocate for specific agency safeguards and reforms.[Politico]
What remains uncertain
- It remains uncertain whether divergent messaging on ICE between progressive and moderate candidates will negatively impact Democratic turnout and performance among independent voters in key midterm battlegrounds.[Politico]