Backlash to Trump immigration policies fuels Illinois Senate primary

Leading Democratic candidates vow to reform or abolish ICE agency

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:01pm

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The leading three Democratic contenders facing off for Illinois' open Senate seat on Tuesday have vowed to extensively reform or eliminate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a reflection of how the killings of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota earlier this year have elevated immigration as a top issue for the party in this year's midterm elections.

Why it matters

A strong stance against U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies has worked elsewhere, with candidates like Analilia Mejia winning a special congressional Democratic primary in New Jersey on a pledge to abolish ICE. However, such positions could be perilous for Democrats as the general elections loom in November, though that risk may be less pronounced in Illinois, a reliable Democratic stronghold.

The details

The leading candidates to replace retiring Senator Dick Durbin have taken up immigration reform, especially of ICE, as Trump's approval rating on the issue has declined. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi wants to 'abolish Trump's ICE,' Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton has called for eliminating the agency outright, and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly has said the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, should be 'dismantled.' The winner of the primary will face one of six Republicans who are running, though political analysts rate the race as solidly Democratic.

  • The primary election is on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
  • In January 2026, Emerson College's poll showed Krishnamoorthi had a 22-point advantage over Stratton.
  • By the end of February 2026, Krishnamoorthi had raised more than $30 million, compared to Stratton's $4 million and Kelly's $3.3 million.

The players

Dick Durbin

The retiring Senator from Illinois, who has been a titan in the liberal wing of the Senate for decades and a staunch defender of immigrant rights.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

A U.S. Representative and moderate Democrat who was first elected to Congress in 2016.

Juliana Stratton

The Illinois Lieutenant Governor, who marched with protesters during a deportation blitz in Chicago last fall and has called for eliminating ICE.

Robin Kelly

A U.S. Representative who has said the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, should be 'dismantled,' and its outgoing secretary, Kristi Noem, impeached.

JB Pritzker

The Illinois Governor, who is a possible 2028 presidential contender and has called the surge of federal immigration agents into Chicago an 'occupation.'

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What they’re saying

“Given that the policy differences are relatively minor, the differentiation is the edge in which you're bringing the opposition.”

— Ruth Bloch Rubin, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago (ksgf.com)

“It's not even about immigration. It's to instill fear, and it's a part of his authoritarian agenda.”

— Juliana Stratton, Illinois Lieutenant Governor (ksgf.com)

“You can't wear masks. You have to have cameras on. You can't just kidnap people off the street. You can't just go to people's homes without a warrant. We need to dismantle and rebuild.”

— Robin Kelly, U.S. Representative (ksgf.com)

“I'm a racial, religious and ethnic minority and an immigrant with 29 letters in my name. I care deeply about making sure that nobody gets otherized, whoever they are, including immigrants. And I want immigrants to feel like this is home, that this is where they belong.”

— Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Representative (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Democratic primary will face one of six Republicans who are running in the general election in November 2026.

The takeaway

The backlash to Trump's immigration policies has become a central issue in the Illinois Senate primary, with the leading Democratic candidates vowing to reform or abolish the ICE agency. This reflects the growing importance of immigration reform for the Democratic party, even in a reliably blue state like Illinois.