New Texas Lawmakers Aim to Tighten Control Over ICE Funding

In the days before the midterm elections, hundreds of voters left stickers on a memorial for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Houston man killed by federal immigration agents earlier this year. The display served as a public marker for the intense focus on immigration policy that defined the recent voting cycle. Ronaldo Salgado, the victim's son, noted that the act of remembrance showed how deeply the issue resonated with the community.

The election results produced a major shift in Texas politics. Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat and the state's first Latina governor-elect, will take office soon. Texans also elected the state's first Democratic U.S. senator in nearly 40 years and flipped control of the Texas House of Representatives. Border counties that supported President Trump in 2024 voted for Democratic candidates this time around.

Artemio Muñiz, who leads the Texas Federation of Hispanic Republicans, told NPR that the Hispanic community grew weary of anti-immigrant policies. He argued that the Republican Party needs to offer a reasonable solution for immigration to remain effective with voters. He suggested that this solution should include secured borders and a legal pathway for undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for decades.

In Houston, Governor-elect Hinojosa faces immediate pressure to change how state agencies interact with federal officers. César Espinosa, executive director of the advocacy group FIEL, said ending the state's partnership with ICE could happen on the first day of her administration. His organization also wants the new legislature to push for driver licenses for undocumented residents. The mayor of Houston has already begun reducing police cooperation with ICE.

At the federal level, immigration advocates are pushing for stricter oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigrant Coalition stated that the incoming Congress must hold ICE accountable. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, who will chair the House oversight committee, advised Republicans to lawyer up. He plans to investigate several issues related to agency conduct.

ICE currently holds the largest budget of any federal law enforcement agency. Congress allocated roughly $240 billion to ICE and Customs and Border Patrol for 2026. This funding is sufficient to support mass deportation operations for the remainder of the current presidential term. Lawmakers are now examining whether they can claw back some of these funds through stricter budgetary controls.

Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, who is likely to chair the House Homeland Security Committee, said the agency's illegal activities have killed and assaulted individuals. He wants to legally require body-worn cameras for federal agents and ban face coverings. Naureen Shah of the ACLU believes congressional subpoenas are a powerful tool. She said ICE must fear losing funding and facing hard questions before a live audience.

The administration signaled that enforcement will not pause. The day after the election, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin posted that deportations will continue. Vice President JD Vance attributed the Republican losses to concerns over the economy, inflation, and the war with Iran, leaving immigration off his list of primary voter concerns. He said he is open to targeting businesses that hire undocumented workers but rejected the idea of amnesty.

Private detention companies are watching the political changes closely. On the day after the election, CoreCivic and the GEO Group held investor calls. Investors at CoreCivic asked how the midterm results would affect ICE operations. Lucibeth Mayberry, president of CoreCivic, said the agency has begun increasing enforcement activity and has secure funding. She urged the ICE administration to move quickly on purchasing new detention centers.

The new congressional leadership is scheduled to convene soon to begin this work. The oversight committees will determine the pace and scope of their inquiries into ICE operations and budget spending in the coming months.