Texas Flips Blue as Voters Reject Immigration Policy
Democrats won key races in Texas and border counties, but ICE retains $240 billion in federal funding for the remainder of the current term.
By Chioma Kuznetsov ·
Democrats secured control of the Texas House of Representatives and elected the state's first Democratic U.S. senator in nearly 40 years, a result driven by voters in border counties who previously supported Donald Trump. Gina Hinojosa will serve as the state's first Latina governor. The political shift followed a year in which federal immigration enforcement intensified in the state.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Houston resident, was killed by federal immigration agents earlier this year. In the days before the election, hundreds of voters left stickers on a memorial for him. His son, Ronaldo Salgado, said the turnout demonstrated that voters were thinking about immigrants and their families. He stated that incoming lawmakers have a duty to listen to the community.
Exit polling identified immigration policy as a top issue for voters. Artemio Muñoz, of the Texas Federation of Hispanic Republicans, told NPR that the Hispanic community became fed up with anti-immigrant policies. He argued that the Republican Party needs a reasonable solution for immigration, including secured borders and a legal pathway for long-term undocumented residents. Muñoz noted that border counties flipped Democratic after supporting Trump in 2024.
Governor-elect Hinojosa faces immediate calls to end the state's partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. César Espinosa, executive director of the Houston-based advocacy group FIEL, said the change could happen on day one. He also urged the new legislature to push for driver licenses for undocumented immigrants. Houston's mayor has already reduced his police department's cooperation with ICE.
ICE is the highest funded federal law enforcement agency in the United States. Congress awarded ICE and Customs and Border Patrol approximately $240 billion in 2025 and 2026. That funding is sufficient to run the mass deportation operation for the remainder of President Trump's term. Republicans retained the White House, but Democrats gained oversight power in Congress.
Rep. Robert Garcia, who is set to chair the House oversight committee, told Republicans on Election Day to "Lawyer up." He promised to investigate ICE accountability. Rep. Bennie Thompson, who is likely to chair the House Homeland Security Committee, said the agency must have accountability. He wants to legally require body-worn cameras for federal agents and ban them from wearing face coverings.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller was promoted to chief of staff on Friday, replacing Susie Wiles. Miller has served as the central architect for immigration control and mass deportation projects. Naureen Shah of the ACLU said that congressional oversight via subpoenas is a powerful tool to change agency behavior. She said ICE must be afraid of losing funding and being questioned before a live audience.
The administration vows that deportations will continue. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin posted that message on social media the day after the election. Vice President JD Vance attributed the Republican loss to economic concerns and the war with Iran, leaving immigration off his list of causes. He said he is open to focusing enforcement on businesses that hire undocumented workers. Private detention companies CoreCivic and GEO Group held investor calls on the same day. CoreCivic President Lucibeth Mayberry told the agency to move quickly on purchasing new centers.
