Immigration enforcement and state role
Immigration ranks among the key 2026 midterm issues nationally, with debates over enforcement intensity, resource impacts, and tools such as data sharing with federal agencies. Polling shows mixed public confidence in immigration agencies and partisan splits on which party handles the issue better. Illinois must navigate how state and local policy interacts with federal crackdowns and border-related politics that shape the midterm environment.
What stance should Illinois take on immigration enforcement and cooperation with federal authorities?
How important is this to you?
✓ You told us where you stand
Sources
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/question/What-are-key-issues-in-the-2026-midterms
Key issues in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections include the economy and immigration, which have traditionally been strong issues for Pres. Donald Trump. However, tariff policies and harsh immigration crackdowns, such as the ones seen in early 2026 in Minnesota, have hurt the president and the Republican Party.
Pew Research Center — https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/07/23/as-the-2026-midterms-approach-economy-is-front-and-center
Immigration policy | 36 | 41 | 21 | R+5
YouGov — https://yougov.com/en-us/trackers/most-important-issues-facing-the-us
Do you support or oppose the use of data from license‑plate readers by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to track undocumented immigrants?
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Limit state-local cooperation with federal enforcement and expand immigrant protections and services
- Allow limited cooperation on serious crimes while preserving most sanctuary-style policies
- Case-by-case cooperation without a broad sanctuary or maximal-enforcement mandate
- Increase information sharing and support stronger federal interior enforcement
- Fully align state agencies with federal deportation priorities and end sanctuary policies