To be sure, immigration (whether enforcement or otherwise) is not often the number one issue for voters. In the 2025 elections, it was one of the top-five concerns, but it was outranked by the economy, cost of living and/or health care. Still, the issue is only growing in its visibility and salience.

Republicans feel confident that their intertwined messages on crime and immigration will resonate with voters in the midterms. They frequently highlight violent criminals detained or deported, downplaying examples of nonviolent migrants who have been swept up.

Democrats are rethinking their midterm election strategy due to the controversial immigration crackdown in Minnesota