Homeland Security Secretary says ICE would deploy at midterms only if threat arises
The secretary stated on Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would appear at polling places solely in response to a security threat. He added that any deployment would require coordination with local law enforcement and would not involve voter identification duties.
The HillHomeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement would deploy agents at polling places during the midterm elections only if a threat arises. During a CNN interview, the secretary was asked whether he would rule out sending ICE agents to the polls.
He replied that agents would be present only if a threat had arisen. Mullin noted that only American citizens should vote and said immigration enforcement would not be a reason for any presence at polling stations.
Threat scenarios He added that ICE agents could respond quickly because they maintain special response teams trained for emergencies such as bomb threats. The secretary stressed that any deployment would occur only after consultation with local law enforcement and would not happen independently.
Security has drawn attention over enforcement actions tied to the administration’s immigration policies. Earlier this year, former White House strategist Steve Bannon said on his podcast that ICE officers should surround the polls in November to prevent what he described as another stolen election.
