SouthernWorldwide.com – As the midterm elections approach, Democrats are strategically mobilizing around the issue of immigration, aiming to harness anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) sentiment to energize their voter base.
While immigration was perceived as a political challenge for Democrats in the previous election cycle, it is now emerging as a key platform issue for the upcoming midterms. The party is actively responding to widespread community anger over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement practices.
This renewed focus is partly fueled by recent tragic events. The fatal shootings of Renee Good by an ICE officer and Alex Pretti by Customs and Border Protection agents in Minneapolis this month have intensified public concern and provided a stark backdrop for the ongoing immigration debate.
“We’re living in a time where we have ICE kidnapping people and we’ve got moms getting shot in the face,” stated Brian Varela, a Democratic candidate for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. He emphasized that there is no longer time for mere strategy or pragmatism, signaling a call for more direct action.
Varela’s district, currently held by Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr., is considered pivotal for the House’s balance of power. With Republicans holding a narrow five-seat majority, Democrats need to gain just three seats to secure control of the House.
The progressive organization Latino Victory Fund is set to endorse Varela, a move that could significantly bolster his campaign. The endorsement, coupled with the national group’s financial and operational support, is intended to help the New Jersey entrepreneur overcome his seven Democratic primary opponents and position him to flip the district.
“Brian understands the urgent issues facing New Jerseyans, as the son of a working-class immigrant family and successful business owner,” said Katharine Pichardo, president and CEO of Latino Victory Fund, highlighting Varela’s personal connection to the issues.
Varela identifies himself as “the most vocal ICE critic” in New Jersey, frequently participating in protests against the establishment of detention centers. He also noted his early calls for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
His commitment to holding ICE accountable resonates with a growing number of Democrats on the campaign trail. Varela is among several Democrats who are incorporating the Trump administration’s deportation policies into their campaigns, with stances ranging from calls for abolishing ICE to advocating for its reform.
In Texas, Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, competing in the Senate primary against state Rep. James Talarico, released a digital advertisement that drew a stark comparison, stating that ICE agents are “turning us into Nazi Germany.” Talarico is also focusing on ICE, emphasizing the need to hold agents accountable for their actions.
“We need to prosecute agents who have abused their power,” Talarico asserted during a recent Senate debate. He also called for ICE and CBP agents, who often wear masks during deportation operations to prevent identification, to be brought before Congress to reveal their faces.
Adam Bozzi, a Democratic consultant specializing in House races, commented that the current immigration enforcement tactics are not reflective of the majority of American voters’ preferences. He described the situation as “horrifying” and a “moral and values based issue” that will likely drive voters towards the opposition seeking change.
On Capitol Hill, Democrats are opposing funding for the Department of Homeland Security without ICE reforms. Several lawmakers are also backing a resolution to impeach Secretary Noem, while some have openly called for the abolition of ICE.
“Right now, Democrats have the power to defund and abolish ICE. We should do it,” stated Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts in a video posted on X, urging immediate action.
In Minneapolis, Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota echoed this sentiment, arguing that holding “law-breaking ICE agents” accountable is insufficient and that “we must abolish ICE.”
Vianca Rodriguez, a Republican strategist and former Trump administration official, acknowledged the chaotic and tragic nature of the Minneapolis events. However, she placed some of the blame on Democrats, suggesting that the chaos was exacerbated by a lack of cooperation from state and local officials acting under the direction of Governor Tim Walz.
Rodriguez criticized Democrats for attempting to leverage the crisis for political gain, labeling it “deeply irresponsible and disgusting.” She argued that Hispanic voters who supported President Trump in 2024 were drawn to his vision of an “orderly immigration system” that prioritizes community safety and the deportation of individuals with criminal records.
Republican Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia, a co-founder of “Latinas for Trump,” expressed concerns in a New York Times interview that immigration policies could lead to Republican losses in the November elections. She specifically pointed to presidential aide Stephen Miller, viewed as a key architect of the administration’s immigration enforcement, as a potential factor in this outcome.
Responding to Garcia’s comments, Republican Rep. Maria Salazar of Florida told CBS News’ Major Garrett on “The Takeout” that a “national conversation pending” about immigration is necessary, stating, “We are at a crossroads.”
Salazar has advocated for bipartisan immigration reform, emphasizing the need to change ICE directives and laws. She noted, “We need to change the laws (and) as Kristi Noem said, if we change the laws, then the law enforcement agencies will then follow what we wrote in Congress.”
In South Texas, Tejano star Bobby Pulido is running as a Democrat in the 15th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz. Pulido is advocating for bipartisan immigration reform, expressing dissatisfaction with what he perceives as extreme policy shifts.
“It feels like we went from a policy of letting them all in to kicking them all out, and I don’t think either one is a good thing,” Pulido told CBS News. His district, which is 78% Hispanic, is a target for Democrats, despite having voted for Mr. Trump in the previous election and reelecting De La Cruz.
“We need comprehensive immigration reform,” Pulido stated. “My district is 78% Hispanic and it doesn’t help anybody when you’re in a community living in fear.”
A recent Fox News poll indicates that 59% of voters believe ICE has been “too aggressive,” an increase of 10 points since July. Furthermore, 55% of voters disapprove of the president’s overall performance on immigration.
“It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it that’s also important. I’m all for border enforcement, that’s fine. I’m all for a secure border, but the way they’re doing it right now is angering a lot of people,” Pulido elaborated.
New Jersey’s Varela observed that the Republican reaction to ICE’s actions reflects the sentiments of the community. He has witnessed a growing number of individuals volunteering and attending events to protest immigration operations, describing the mood as one of anger, frustration, and fear.
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Mike Marinella, an NRCC spokesperson, criticized the “Abolish ICE” movement, calling it a “litmus test for Democrats who are barely hanging on and begging on their knees to get approval from their socialist base.” He argued that their “full embrace of demonizing law enforcement proves how out of touch they are, and voters will punish them for it.”
