Republicans suffered a decisive midterm defeat, but exit polls make clear the border was not the culprit—voters blamed President Biden’s open‑border policies for delivering Donald Trump a 2024 reelection victory.
Immigration rhetoric fuels Trump’s comeback
Party identification on immigration stayed above water for Republicans, and voters consistently ranked them more trustworthy than Democrats on the issue.
Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley warned that recent ICE actions “went too far,” saying the agency overreached by targeting workplaces as well as criminal offenders.
“Everyone saw that ICE overreached and it was too much. It wasn’t just going after criminals; it was suddenly going into companies,” Haley told CNBC on November 11, 2026.
Political commentators echoed the sentiment, noting that big‑business opposition to aggressive enforcement has shifted the GOP’s stance.
Immigration Accountability Project Action labeled the criticism as an “instant fail,” arguing that illegal entry remains a crime and employers who hire undocumented workers violate the law.
Mark Mitchell, an Honest Pollster, pointed out a double standard: Democrats attack businesses for cooperating with Trump while ignoring illegal hiring practices.
Albert Latham declared Haley “as dangerous to the Republic as AOC,” demanding that CEOs face jail time for exploiting American workers.
Michael Angiletta argued that targeting employers and cutting job opportunities for undocumented migrants would accelerate deportations.
Editor’s Note emphasized the voter mandate: “We voted for mass deportations, not mass amnesty,” urging supporters to stay engaged.
Join Townhall VIP now and use promo code FIGHT for 60% off your membership.
