Federal agents can't legally police polls. Immigration advocates are preparing anyway

NPR | By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

Published November 3, 2026 at 4:42 AM EST

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Federal law prohibits federal agents from being deployed at the polls. But immigration advocates worry that ICE agents or other federal agents could show up or intimidate voters during immigration enforcement in nearby neighborhoods.

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Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (SARE-he-oh mar-TEE-nez bel-TRAHN) is an immigration correspondent.