Sheinbaum Links ICE Raids to Shift in Latino Voting in U.S. Midterms, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico City): Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday that immigration raids and racism against Latinos in the United States were likely factors behind a shift of Latino voters toward the Democratic Party in Tuesday’s midterm elections, according to EFE.
Sheinbaum made the remarks at her morning press conference when asked about the possible link between operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the results, which gave Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.
“Yes, it is very likely. I don’t have the data, but it is logical to think that something that influenced Latinos with the right to vote in the United States to vote for the Democratic Party this time had to do with this racism and at the same time raids against people because of their skin color and ethnic origin,” she said.
According to data from Mexico’s Foreign Ministry, 17 Mexicans have died in the United States during ICE operations or while in ICE custody since 2025. Sheinbaum said some analyses suggest Latino voters, including those of Mexican origin, who backed President Donald Trump in 2024 chose Democratic candidates this time.
Her comments follow a UnidosUS poll finding that 67% of Latino voters supported Democrats in the House of Representatives and that 17% of Hispanics who voted for Trump in 2024 backed Democratic candidates. However, the poll identified cost of living and inflation as the main concerns for Latino voters, cited by 58%, while 27% pointed to immigration policy and ICE actions.
On Wednesday, Sheinbaum highlighted the victories of Democrats of Mexican origin Xavier Becerra, elected governor of California, and Gina Hinojosa, who won the governorship of Texas, saying the results reflected the “sentiment of the people” of the United States.
