The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated October 27, 2026. Election rules, candidate fields, and poll numbers change; confirm the latest details with the linked official source before you vote.
Immigration and the 2026 midterms
Pew Research Center's September 28 to October 4, 2026 survey found that 59 percent of voters called immigration "very important" to their vote. Among Republicans, 72 percent did, more than any other issue for that group. Among Democrats, 66 percent called climate change very important and 63 percent said the same about investigations into Trump.
That gap shapes the campaign. Republican candidates generally raise immigration everywhere, while Democratic candidates tend to raise it where border enforcement, farm labor, or immigrant communities are part of daily life.
Where the parties stand
Republicans generally argue that the border must be brought under control before any other change is considered. Their proposals usually include more barriers and technology, more detention capacity, mandatory employment verification, tighter asylum screening, and expanded deportation. Some also propose changing how birthright citizenship is applied, which would require a constitutional amendment or a major court ruling.
Democrats generally argue for a combination of border security and legal pathways. Their proposals usually include more asylum officers and immigration judges, a path to legal status for long-term residents, protections for people brought to the country as children, and attention to the conditions that drive migration. The party has been divided over how far enforcement should go.
These are party-level descriptions; individual candidates differ, and each race hub links to their own statements.
Where the candidates stand
| Race | Why immigration matters there | Race hub |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Senate | A border state where enforcement, trade, and demographic change overlap | Texas Senate |
| North Carolina Senate | Large agricultural and poultry industries that rely on immigrant labor | North Carolina Senate |
| Georgia Senate | Agriculture, construction, and a competitive suburban ring | Georgia Senate |
| Ohio Senate | Manufacturing towns where trade and immigration are debated together | Ohio Senate |
| Maine Senate | Seasonal industries and an aging workforce that depends on new arrivals | Maine Senate |
We do not attribute a position without a direct source. Where a campaign has published a plan, its hub links to it.
The policy details
Immigration law is federal. The Constitution gives Congress power to set the rules for entry, and the Supreme Court has generally treated immigration as an area of broad federal authority.
Asylum is set by statute. Congress could raise or lower the legal standard, change deadlines, or add judges and processing capacity. The president enforces the law through agencies that handle border patrol, detention, and removal, and those agencies are funded through annual appropriations.
States cannot set their own immigration policy, but they affect daily life. They decide whether undocumented residents may hold driver's licenses, whether state benefits are available, and whether local police cooperate with federal agents. Some states and cities limit that cooperation; others require it.
Governors can deploy their state National Guard, usually in support roles, though federal law and funding shape what that deployment can do. Employers use E-Verify, a federal system that checks whether a worker is authorized; Congress could make it mandatory nationwide.
The practical constraint is money and courts: enforcement and asylum processing require funding, and major changes are often challenged.
What to watch
- Border encounters. CBP's monthly figures are the most watched measure. Treat any single month as a data point, not a trend.
- Deportation operations. Watch where enforcement is concentrated and whether courts block it.
- State laws. Look for new rules on licenses, benefits, and local cooperation, and for lawsuits over them.
- Employer enforcement. Raids and audits in agriculture, construction, and hospitality can affect local economies in ways national polling does not capture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is immigration so important to Republican voters in 2026?
Pew found that 72 percent of Republicans called it very important, more than any other issue for that group. Republican candidates have spent years arguing that border enforcement is a basic function of government.
Can a governor change immigration policy?
Not directly. Immigration law is federal. Governors can influence how state agencies cooperate with enforcement, what benefits or licenses are available, and whether the National Guard is deployed in a support role.
What is asylum, in plain terms?
Asylum is a legal protection for people who have fled their home country and can show a well-founded fear of persecution. It is not the same as a visa or refugee resettlement, though all three are often discussed together.
Do immigrants commit more crime than native-born residents?
Research is not uniform. Findings differ by group, offense, and data source, and both campaigns and advocacy groups cite the studies that support their argument. The useful check is to read the underlying study, including its comparison group and time period.
Sources
- Pew Research Center — 2026 issue priorities survey. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- AP News. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- NPR. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- 270toWin: 2026 Senate elections. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Conference of State Legislatures. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Part of our 2026 midterm election issues coverage. Last updated October 27, 2026.