ICE crackdown creates double-edged campaign issue for Republicans and Democrats

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is fast becoming a double-edged campaign issue in November’s hotly contested midterm congressional elections because of mounting public unease over aggressive tactics by federal immigration officers.

After an ICE officer shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7, sparking protests, opinion polls showed most Americans disapprove of the conduct of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, including a Reuters/Ipsos survey that pointed to a Republican split over whether federal immigration agents should try harder to avoid hurting people.

Criticism about ICE’s use of force appears to have diminished the ability of Republican candidates to pivot away from economic pessimism among voters by stressing the party’s traditionally strong standing on crime and security. Democrats could benefit, despite the party’s historic weakness on border security issues, if voters decide Trump has moved beyond what they elected him to do, said Nathan Gonzales, editor of analysis firm Inside Elections.

The polling data has raised Republican concerns that souring public views of ICE operations could cloud Trump’s success at securing the US-Mexico border. Record numbers of migrants flowed into the US under former President Joe Biden, a topic Republicans view as a key campaign asset.

But with some Democratic candidates calling for ICE’s abolition, Democratic groups are concerned that voters worried about immigration and security could turn against them come November.

Republicans control both the Senate and the House of Representatives but face voter frustration over high prices and the economy in an election cycle that often punishes the ruling party as voters cast ballots for all 435 House seats and 35 of the 100 Senate seats.

“This is kind of a fluid situation that we’re in right now that reminds me a bit of where we were after George Floyd, where public opinion moved pretty dramatically,” said Amy Walter, editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report.

The 2020 police killing of Floyd in Minneapolis spurred nationwide anger that brought about reforms in many US states but also proved to be a political liability for both Republicans and Democrats. Members of the public have expressed outrage over immigration enforcement tactics such as ICE agents wearing masks, zip-tying children and arresting and injuring or killing US citizens. Over the weekend in Minneapolis, a naturalized US citizen said immigration agents with guns drawn broke down his door and dragged him into the snow wearing shorts and Croc shoes. ChongLy Thao, 56, who goes by the name Scott, said he was returned home later without explanation or apology. The Department of Homeland Security has said ICE officers, whom it oversees, have also faced violence.

Analysts say Democrats are in a strong position to gain control of the House and could cut into the 53-47-seat Republican Senate majority, if not seize the chamber outright. Losing either chamber would hinder Trump’s ability to enact his agenda and also would enable congressional investigations into administration policies and actions.