Democratic Party leaders and candidates are intensifying calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and expand pathways to citizenship, as the party’s left wing gains influence ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The growing debate over immigration policy has become a central fault line in the lead-up to November, with Democrats promising to extend amnesty and create new citizenship opportunities, while Republicans warn these measures would undermine border security and public safety.

DNC Resolutions and Internal Party Debate

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) recently approved a series of resolutions urging lawmakers to dissolve ICE and restrict Department of Homeland Security funding unless enforcement activities such as workplace raids and mass roundups are halted, according to Newsweek. During the DNC’s summer meeting in Austin, members backed both abolishing ICE and reforming the agency, reflecting ongoing internal debates over the party’s official stance. While some Democrats advocate for the complete dissolution of ICE, others support significant reforms to its operations, highlighting divisions within the party over the best approach to immigration enforcement.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., pledged earlier this year, “When I am chair of the Immigration Subcommittee, we will pass permanent protections and pathways to citizenship for immigrant families.” Florida State Rep. Angie Nixon, now the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, has also argued for a “clear, comprehensive, and compassionate pathway to citizenship, especially for folks like Haitians, Venezuelans, and Syrians.” Nixon is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, which has called security measures a “complete capitulation to xenophobia and the Republican Party.”

Republican Criticism and Legislative Responses

Republican lawmakers have sharply criticized these proposals. Rep. Ben Cline, vice chairman of the Republican Study Committee, said that previous Democratic control led to “criminal illegal aliens roaming around our country, terrorizing our communities,” and warned that further left-leaning sanctuary policies would “continue to put American families at risk.” Rep. Rick W. Allen, R-Ga., described the rise of leaders who “disregard federal law and shield unlawful aliens from federal immigration enforcement” as “abhorrent.”

"Sanctuary city policies continue to put Americans at risk."

— August Pfluger, Republican Study Committee Chairman

The Laken Riley Act, passed after the killing of a Georgia nursing student by a person in the country illegally, requires federal authorities to detain without bond noncitizens arrested or charged with certain crimes. In 2025, 156 House Democrats voted against the measure. Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, said, “Laken’s killer should never have been released after committing crimes in the U.S., and tragically, her case is not isolated.” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., claimed that “Democrats’ sanctuary policies and soft-on-crime laws continue to put American citizens at risk,” warning that more Americans could “pay with their lives” if Democrats regain control.

In 2026, Senate Democrats unanimously opposed the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to present identification and proof of citizenship. Arguments that the bill would disenfranchise black voters were disputed by Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, who lived through the Jim Crow era. Democrats also voted against the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which codified border security gains, and the Secure America Act, which funds the Department of Homeland Security.

The DNC’s push to abolish ICE comes as President Trump’s administration continues to expand deportation efforts, with ICE reportedly on track to set arrest records for a second consecutive month, according to Newsweek. DNC chair Ken Martin emphasized that party platforms are set at the national convention every four years, but said Democrats remain united in opposing the current enforcement approach. This reflects a broader trend within the party to prioritize humanitarian concerns and seek alternatives to existing enforcement policies.

Supporters of the Democratic proposals argue that current enforcement policies are overly harsh and fail to address humanitarian concerns, particularly for vulnerable populations such as refugees and asylum seekers. They contend that expanding pathways to citizenship would help integrate immigrants into American society and strengthen communities. However, Democratic officials have not directly addressed Republican claims that their policies would increase risks to public safety.

Looking Ahead to the Midterms

The outcome of the November midterm elections will determine which party controls the final two years of the Trump presidency, with immigration policy set to be a defining issue. As both parties sharpen their messaging, the debate over ICE, sanctuary policies, and pathways to citizenship is likely to remain at the forefront of national political discourse. The results could shape the direction of U.S. immigration policy for years to come, with significant implications for enforcement practices, border security, and the future of millions of immigrants living in the country.