Following their success in the midterm elections, American Democrats are preparing to challenge President Donald Trump’s hard-line approach to immigration.
Their objectives include investigating the activities of ICE agents, overseeing funds for border security, and creating opportunities for lawful residency. However, the presidential veto could make it difficult for them to implement these goals.
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With Democrats expected to control Congress next year, Democratic lawmakers want to pressure the Trump administration, particularly over the large-scale arrests and deportations of immigrants.
Democrats have prepared a list of issues they intend to examine at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which also oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The investigations could include conditions in detention centers, cases involving the use of deadly force by federal agents, and the deportation of Venezuelan nationals to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador during 2025.
“We will investigate the administration for using DHS as a weapon against Americans (and) its out-of-control immigration policies,” declared Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi who is expected to chair the House Homeland Security Committee.
Another Democratic demand concerns greater transparency over how DHS uses more than $100 billion allocated by Congress since last year.
However, the passage of legislative changes appears difficult. House and Senate staff expect Trump to veto any initiative that limits the enforcement of immigration laws or expands opportunities for lawful residency and the acquisition of U.S. citizenship.
Dissatisfaction with the president’s policies has also been reflected in polls. Reuters/Ipsos surveys show that approval of the way Trump is handling immigration has fallen to 38%, from 50% at the beginning of his presidency.
In the latest midterm elections, Latino voters shifted more toward the Democrats. Despite this, the Trump administration has shown no sign that it will change course. When asked whether the deportation strategy had been too harsh, the president replied: “My policy has not changed.”
During celebrations of the victory, Minnesota senator-elect Peggy Flanagan declared: “We will destroy ICE.”
Democrat Pramila Jayapal has pledged to summon to Congress officials whom she considers responsible for illegal arrests, detentions, and removals.
“Agents need real training and body cameras. They must wear clear identification, unless they are conducting an undercover operation. They must coordinate with state and local law enforcement,” Gottheimer declared.
Republicans oppose any new restrictions on ICE, saying the agency has already received funding for equipment and body cameras.
Beyond the investigations, Democrats are considering advancing two legislative initiatives for immigration reform.
One of them, the Dignity Act, is a bipartisan bill that provides a path to lawful residency for immigrant workers. At the same time, it aims to strengthen border security and change visa programs.
The second initiative, the Dream and Promise Act, seeks to create a path to citizenship for immigrants who came to the United States as children and are known as “Dreamers.”
Gallup polls cited in reports show that more than 80% of Americans support creating a legal pathway for this group of immigrants.
Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego said the party must find a way to negotiate with Trump. According to him, talks on a bill supporting Dreamers could move forward by the end of 2026.
“Republicans have said that we will have immigration reform once we have a secure border. We have that now,” Gallego declared.
Experts, however, consider the presidential veto the main obstacle to passing broad reform.
