With early voting underway, the administration is trying to put one election fear to rest. "ICE is not planning operations targeting polling locations," a DHS official told States Newsroom on Thursday, responding to a letter from a dozen Senate Democrats — led by Ed Markey — asking whether armed federal agents would be deployed at voting sites, which they said federal law prohibits.
The administration's line: the warnings are "fearmongering." DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said officers won't patrol or monitor polling places broadly, though they could act on a specific warrant or threat. Election law experts note federal law bars armed federal presence at election sites except to "repel armed enemies of the United States" — a high bar. And in his TIME interview published Thursday, Trump himself answered "haven't thought of it" when asked about dispatching ICE to the polls.
Critics aren't reassured. Advocacy groups for Latino, Black and Asian American voters say ICE's aggressive tactics and soaring arrest numbers have already created a chilling effect, whether or not agents show up on Election Day. The DHS statement also left wiggle room: plans could change "based on available intelligence." Both sides are watching November closely.