The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has assured state election officials that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will not be stationed at polling places during the midterm elections scheduled for November. This statement comes in response to worries expressed by several Democratic officials who have warned about the potential for intimidation and racial profiling by federal immigration agents at voting sites. Heather Honey, the deputy assistant secretary for election integrity at DHS, made this announcement during a call with secretaries of state, explicitly stating that suggestions of ICE's presence at polling locations are unfounded.

Arizona's Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, confirmed that Honey's assurances were made to state officials, while a spokeswoman for Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read echoed this sentiment. These reassurances have been welcomed by election officials, who have been vigilant in ensuring voter confidence and accessibility. In a similar vein, Kentucky's Secretary of State, Michael Adams, a Republican, also affirmed on social media that the DHS has committed to not deploying ICE agents to polling sites.

As the midterm elections approach, maintaining the integrity of the voting process is crucial, and the DHS's clear stance on ICE's non-involvement at polling places aims to reduce fears among voters. This issue is particularly significant given the contentious political climate surrounding immigration policies, and the attention to election security and integrity has been heightened across the nation. The decision not to have ICE present at polling locations is seen as a step towards protecting the rights of voters and ensuring a fair electoral process.