Krishnamoorthi Demands Answers on Reports DHS May Deploy ICE Near Polling Places

WASHINGTON - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) demanded answers from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin regarding reports that DHS may consider deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other DHS personnel in connection with the 2026 midterm elections, including at or near polling places.

In the letter, Krishnamoorthi warned:

"The deployment of ICE or other DHS personnel in or around polling locations could raise serious legal concerns, particularly if such actions deter lawful participation or create the perception of intimidation. Even the perceived presence of immigration enforcement personnel near polling places, especially in communities with large immigrant or mixed-status populations, could chill lawful voter participation and undermine confidence in the fair and impartial administration of elections."

Krishnamoorthi's letter follows recent reports and conflicting public statements from DHS officials regarding whether ICE personnel could be deployed near polling places during the upcoming midterm elections.

"These reports raise serious concerns about potential voter intimidation, federal interference in election administration, and the chilling effect such actions could have on lawful participation in our democracy."

Krishnamoorthi requested that DHS provide responses no later than June 30, 2026. In the letter, he requested answers to the following questions:

1. Confirm whether DHS intends to station ICE agents or other DHS law-enforcement personnel inside polling places, within statutorily defined buffer zones around polling locations, or at ballot drop boxes during the 2026 midterm elections. If not, confirm that DHS will not do so. If so, explain the circumstances under which such deployments would occur and the legal basis for them.
2. Identify any plans, contingencies, operational guidance, or concepts of operations developed since January 20, 2025, concerning the deployment of ICE or other DHS personnel during the 2026 midterm elections, including any circumstances under which such personnel could be deployed to polling places or surrounding areas. Also identify any such deployments since January 20, 2025, and provide the date, location, component involved, number of personnel, purpose, and any after-action reports.
3. Produce all communications between DHS, including ICE, and state, local, tribal, or territorial election officials concerning the potential presence of DHS personnel at or near polling places during the 2026 election cycle, including emails, memoranda, and meeting notes. Also produce any internal guidance, directives, or memoranda related to DHS or ICE involvement in election-related matters since January 20, 2025.
4. Explain what training, if any, DHS and ICE personnel have received regarding voting rights protections, voter intimidation laws, and limits on the presence of federal officers at polling locations. Identify the oversight and compliance measures DHS has established to ensure adherence to these requirements.
5. Explain any coordination between DHS and the Department of Justice, including the Civil Rights Division and Criminal Division, concerning the possible deployment of DHS or ICE personnel during elections, including any role DHS has been asked to play in "election integrity" efforts.
6. Explain how DHS will ensure that any election-related security activities it undertakes, such as cyber support or threat monitoring, remain nonpartisan, respect state and local control of elections, and avoid actions that could reasonably be perceived as voter intimidation or partisan interference.

Read the full letter here.