Florida and Texas Groups Seek Legislative Check on ICE Enforcement

Local advocacy groups in Florida and Texas argue that a shift in congressional control would provide the legislative tools necessary to restrain federal immigration enforcement. These organizations contend that a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives could authorize hearings and freeze funding, creating structural limits on the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

The current administration has pursued a strategy of mass arrests and deportations since its inception. Federal agents have expanded their capacity through partnerships with local law enforcement and prisons. In Florida, this expansion is tied to 287(g) agreements, which allow state police to detain migrants and transfer them to federal custody.

The 2026 midterm elections place the fate of these agreements at the center of the contest. In Florida, the governorship is contested between Democrat David Jolly and Republican Byron Donalds. Donalds has the endorsement of President Donald Trump. In Texas, Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is challenging decades of Republican dominance in the state's Senate seats.

María Bilbao of the American Friends Service Committee said a Democratic governor in Florida could push to end the 287(g) agreements. She stated that her organization would continue to organize and demand state protection for local communities. Regarding a potential Democratic House majority, Bilbao said it could open space to investigate documented abuses and demand accountability from the administration. She noted that while this does not guarantee a change in policy, it could strengthen oversight.

Karla de Anda, a spokesperson for The Right to Freedom, said a Democratic House could use its powers to protect communities. She emphasized the need to freeze funds and hold hearings on deportations to third countries. De Anda observed that many Latino voters in Florida are motivated to vote against current policies. She recounted speaking to a Cuban-accented voter who said he voted to remove an undesirable candidate from office.

In Texas, Héctor Sánchez Barba, president of Mi familia vota, stated that Latinos represent 30 percent of the state electorate. He said the group will demand that Governor Abbott answer to the community. He criticized the administration for excluding and attacking the Latino community and asserted that a change in Congress could bring necessary changes.

Juan Proaño, director of LULAC, expressed moderate optimism that a change in the House could slow ICE operations. His organization handles cases involving the deaths of migrants, including the shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE agents. Proaño said the organization needs urgent changes in immigration policy and hopes the election results mark a turning point.

The election results will determine whether these legislative checks are implemented. The outcome in Florida and Texas will influence the balance of power in the House and the state legislatures that interact with federal immigration agencies.