Homeland Security Clarifies: No ICE at Polling Stations This Election

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday that there are no plans for immigration enforcement operations at polling stations during the midterm elections. This reassurance follows comments made by officials during a virtual briefing with state election authorities.

Speaking during the briefing, Heather Honey, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Election Integrity at the Department of Homeland Security, stated unequivocally that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence at polling locations is a myth being circulated, citing remarks from Arizona’s Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

Concerns arose after a query by California Secretary of State Shirley Weber on potential immigration operations at polling sites. A Homeland Security official said ICE would only attend polling locations if there was a significant public safety threat. The upcoming midterms coincide with President Donald Trump's robust immigration policies, despite resistance from activists and Democrats.