Barrasso says barring immigration enforcement at polling places would make them "a sanctuary location for illegal immigrant criminals"
John BarrassoSenate majority whip
On the Senate floor during the fight over Department of Homeland Security funding, Barrasso said Democrats were demanding that polling places be added to a list of sensitive locations. He said, "Illegal immigrants should not be at polling places and certainly not illegal immigrant criminals", and that, taken together, the Democratic conditions mean "Polling locations would become a sanctuary location for illegal immigrant criminals".
“Illegal immigrants should not be at polling places and certainly not illegal immigrant criminals. Now the Democrats want to add this to their list of sensitive locations. … Taken together, these conditions would materially slow immigration enforcement in this Nation. Polling locations would become a sanctuary location for illegal immigrant criminals--people allowed to roam free in our communities.”
Original text
Where this statement fits
Should ICE and other armed federal agents be allowed at or near polling places in the 2026 election?
Since February 2026, federal officials have given differing answers about whether ICE and other armed federal agents could be at or near polling places during the November 3 election. On September 1, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE would be at a polling place only if there is a threat to it or agents are serving a warrant, and DHS told Politico that ICE is not planning operations targeting polling locations but that arrests could result if an active public safety threat endangered one. On September 10, 18 and 23, 2026, LULAC and other groups, a coalition including the NAACP, and Democratic leaders and party committees sued separately in federal court in Washington. They allege that the administration's statements and actions violate 18 U.S.C. 592, Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act, or both. As of September 25, the court dockets show no motion for a preliminary injunction and no answer or motion to dismiss from the federal defendants, and no court has ruled.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
Official Senate record of Sen. John Barrasso's floor remarks on February 12, 2026, after the minority leader said Democrats would vote against funding the Department of Homeland Security. Barrasso lists Democratic demands, including a ban on immigration enforcement at sensitive locations that would include polling places.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Barrasso spoke after the minority leader said Democrats would vote against funding the Department of Homeland Security. He listed Democratic demands that included a ban on immigration enforcement at what he called sensitive locations.
After the quotation
Barrasso said Republicans believe many of the Democratic demands would undermine public safety and the rule of law, and that Democrats should join Republicans in keeping the Department of Homeland Security fully funded.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is the administration's stated or threatened use of ICE and other armed federal agents at or near polling places in the 2026 election. Barrasso opposed a proposed ban on immigration enforcement at polling places, arguing that with the other Democratic conditions it would make them a sanctuary for illegal immigrant criminals. He spoke of immigration enforcement generally and did not say ICE or armed agents would go to polling places, but he argued against barring enforcement there, which defends allowing it. Mixed or conditional loses because he described no condition under which agents would stay away.
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Cite this record
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- The Dispute Index
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- Barrasso says barring immigration enforcement at polling places would make them "a sanctuary location for illegal immigrant criminals"
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/2753-on-the-senate-floor-during-the-fight-over
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Barrasso says barring immigration enforcement at polling places would make them "a sanctuary location for illegal immigrant criminals"". First published: 2026-09-26. Last updated: 2026-09-26. https://disputeindex.com/events/2753-on-the-senate-floor-during-the-fight-over