DHS Official Promises No Federal Immigration Agents at Midterm Polling Places

Assurance comes amid concerns over potential election interference from Trump administration

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A Department of Homeland Security official has told state election administrators that immigration agents will not be stationed at polling places during November's midterm elections, addressing one of the key fears of Democrats about possible election interference from the Trump administration.

Why it matters

The presence of federal immigration agents at polling places could intimidate and discourage voters, particularly in immigrant communities, from exercising their right to vote. This pledge from DHS aims to allay those concerns and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

The details

Heather Honey, a DHS official, told secretaries of state that 'any suggestion that ICE will be present at any polling location is simply not true.' This message was conveyed during a call with election officials from the FBI, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Postal Service, and other federal agencies to discuss coordination for the midterms. Democrats have been concerned about potential Trump administration interference in the elections, citing the former president's false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election and his administration's efforts to investigate noncitizen voting.

  • The call with election officials took place on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Heather Honey

Deputy assistant secretary for election integrity at the Department of Homeland Security.

Adrian Fontes

Arizona Secretary of State, a Democrat.

Tobias Read

Oregon Secretary of State.

Michael Adams

Kentucky Secretary of State, a Republican.

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who has made false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.

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What they’re saying

“Any suggestion that ICE will be present at any polling location is simply not true.”

— Heather Honey, Deputy assistant secretary for election integrity, Department of Homeland Security

What’s next

The pledge from the DHS official is intended to reassure voters and election officials that federal immigration agents will not be present at polling places during the midterm elections, addressing a key concern about potential voter intimidation.

The takeaway

This promise from the DHS aims to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that all eligible voters can cast their ballots without fear of interference or intimidation from federal agencies, addressing a major concern of Democrats about the Trump administration's potential involvement in the midterm elections.