Democrats Miss Chance to Highlight Immigration Abuse Ahead of Midterms

Despite internal briefings urging action, Democratic leaders have kept immigration, especially ICE misconduct, out of their midterm messaging.

In late July, Hakeem Jeffries unveiled the Democratic midterm platform in Pennsylvania, emphasizing healthcare, cost-of-living and foreign-policy goals while omitting any focus on curbing ICE. Four days earlier, a briefing organized by Rep. Katherine Clark featured immigration-rights groups urging House members to seize the moment and tie immigration enforcement to affordability concerns. The presenters cited polling that placed ICE at its lowest approval rating and warned that the agency’s funding could extend well beyond the current administration.

They recommended tactics such as highlighting long-time residents caught in deportation actions, conducting detention-center tours, and organizing national days of action. Nonetheless, several campaign operatives say that, with only three months to the general election, candidates are reluctant to risk anti-ICE messaging for fear of losing moderate voters, opting instead for safer economic themes.