Renee Good’s killing by an ICE agent in Minneapolis has made immigration enforcement a defining issue in Democratic primaries, reviving debates over whether to rein in, defund or abolish ICE. Progressive contenders from Minnesota to New Jersey and Michigan are pushing for bold action, while moderates caution that language like "abolish" could be politically damaging. Polling after the shooting shows declining approval for Trump’s immigration approach and rising skepticism of ICE. Democrats may use budget leverage and oversight to press for reform as Republicans try to exploit the party’s divisions.
ICE Becomes Central Flashpoint In Midterm Primaries After Minneapolis Shooting
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent’s killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis has pushed immigration enforcement to the center of the 2026 midterm debate, reigniting intraparty fights among Democrats over whether to rein in, defund or abolish the agency.
Democratic candidates from Minnesota to New Jersey and Michigan have expressed alarm at recent ICE operations and are stepping up calls for tighter oversight, reduced funding or elimination of the agency. The backlash has shifted Democrats out of the defensive posture they adopted after the 2024 elections, but it also reopened long-simmering divisions about how far the party should go on enforcement reform.
Minnesota: The Epicenter
Minnesota, where the killing and subsequent demonstrations have focused national attention, now features a high-profile Senate primary that highlights those divisions. Progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has attacked Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) for what Flanagan calls a "politically expedient" shift on immigration after Craig voted earlier for the Laken Riley Act and supported a resolution that expressed gratitude to ICE while condemning antisemitism.
“There's a through-line from that first vote to where we are today,” Flanagan said. “This Senate race is a question of whether we’ll have a senator who sticks to their values or one who votes with Republicans when it’s politically expedient.”
Craig pushed back, saying Flanagan should join efforts to oppose what she described as the lawlessness of Governor Kristi Noem and emphasizing that some laws passed after President Trump’s inauguration — like the Laken Riley Act — are now being applied in unexpected ways.
Primary Battles Nationwide
Across multiple states, progressive candidates are using the controversy to press for bold changes. In New Jersey’s 11th District special primary, Analilia Mejia — a former Bernie Sanders campaign staffer — has become the most vocal candidate in calling to abolish ICE, saying recent federal operations demonstrated "escalation and unchecked violence."
In Illinois, Democrats competing to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin have traded sharp critiques of ICE. Rep. Robin Kelly introduced measures seeking accountability for actions tied to recent ICE operations; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi endorsed additional oversight and vowed not to support more funding for the agency as long as abuses continue. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has also called for abolishing ICE.
Chicago-area primaries have likewise centered on ICE. Protest activity at ICE’s Broadview detention center drew candidates and resulted in arrests and confrontations; some contenders have made abolition an explicit campaign plank while others favor defunding or strict oversight.
In Michigan, progressive Abdul El-Sayed renewed calls to abolish ICE and criticized rivals for being vague. Rep. Haley Stevens said ICE is "out of control" and needs oversight, but said she does not support abolition; state Sen. Mallory McMorrow urged budgetary reforms and stricter oversight instead.
Polling, Politics And Party Strategy
Polling taken after the Minneapolis shooting shows falling public approval of President Trump’s handling of immigration and growing skepticism of ICE. An Associated Press/NORC poll found approval of Trump’s immigration approach fell to 38 percent (from 49 percent in March). A Navigator Research poll reported negative views of ICE from 89 percent of Democrats, 62 percent of independents and 25 percent of Republicans, and found majorities of Democrats and independents saying ICE has been too aggressive.
Some House Democrats — including those from swing districts — are threatening to withhold budget votes as leverage for reforms and have joined progressive calls for accountability, including measures aimed at Governor Kristi Noem. Republicans are seeking to exploit these divisions, casting "abolish ICE" rhetoric as politically extreme ahead of November.
What’s At Stake
The intraparty dispute poses an electoral dilemma for Democrats: progressives argue that bold action is necessary to prevent further abuses and to respond to public outrage, while centrists warn that contested phrases like "abolish" or "defund" could be weaponized by opponents and hurt the party in competitive general-election districts.
As the midterms approach, candidates will be tested on whether they pivot toward aggressive reform, embrace more measured oversight and budgetary constraints, or try to strike a balance that addresses abuse without handing Republicans a simple attack line.
Adam Wren contributed to this report.
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