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Summary
The 2026 midterm elections could have major consequences for immigration policy, even if immigration was not the issue that ultimately determined the outcome. With Democrats poised to take control of both chambers of Congress, questions are emerging about the prospects for amnesty and the Trump administration’s willingness to negotiate with Democrats.
On this episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, CIS Executive Director Mark Krikorian is joined by CIS experts Andrew “Art” Arthur and George Fishman, both veterans of Capitol Hill, to examine the election results and what they could mean for immigration policy in the 120th Congress.
Among the topics discussed:
- Was Immigration a top concern? Arthur compares pre-election and exit polling to determine just how much effect immigration policy had on the election results.
- Trump’s comments about an immigration deal. The discussion examines President Trump’s recent comments suggesting a willingness to work with Democrats on immigration legislation.
- Lessons from the past. Both guests reflect on earlier periods when Democrats and Republicans worked together on immigration legislation and what those periods tell us about prospects for bipartisan legislation.
- Life in the Minority. Arthur and Fishman discuss the challenges Republicans will face in the congressional minority.
Mark Krikorian concludes the episode with a discussion of a state-level election consequence, the retreat from cooperation with ICE in Texas.
Host
Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.
Guests
George Fishman is a Senior Legal Fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies.
Andrew Arthur is a Resident Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies
Links
The Missing ‘Pro-Enforcement Republicans’ in the NBC News Exit Poll
How Big a Role Did Immigration Play in the 2026 GOP Wipeout?
With Dems in Control of Congress, What Comes Next on Immigration?
Did Houston’s Mayor Just Reveal Texas Democrats’ Immigration Plans?
Intro Montage
Voices in the opening montage:
- Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
- Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
- President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
- Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
- Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
- Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
- Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
- Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
- Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
- Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.
- Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".