NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedNovember 7, 2026Miami-Dade County
Democrats plan congressional oversight and immigration reform following midterm victories
Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed
Following midterm election gains, congressional Democrats are preparing to use their new majority to launch investigations into Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. At the same time, lawmakers are debating whether to introduce a proactive Democratic vision for immigration reform, though their legislative power remains limited by presidential vetoes and pre-funded Republican enforcement budgets.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main FeedWhy It Matters
The shift in congressional control sets up a political showdown over billions in immigration enforcement funding, executive branch oversight, and the future of deportation policies over the next two years.
Key Facts
- Democrats won midterm elections that gave them control of both houses of Congress.
- Stephen Miller was elevated to become President Trump's chief of staff.
- House Democrats plan to use congressional oversight to investigate Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.
- The Associated Press Voter Poll found that about 6 in 10 voters said the Trump administration's actions on immigration enforcement had gone too far.
- About 6 in 10 voters in the AP poll disapproved of how ICE was doing its job.
- About 6 in 10 voters said immigrants to the U.S. do more to help the country, while about 4 in 10 said they do more to hurt the country.
- Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Richard Blumenthal previously held shadow hearings featuring family members of people killed during enforcement operations and whistleblowers.
- Comprehensive immigration reform was last close to passing in 2013, clearing the Senate before dying in the House.
- Sen.-elect James Talarico discussed the need to pass comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship.
- Rep. Gabe Vasquez suggested addressing immigration through affordability by creating a new visa class for care workers.
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that deportations will continue.
- Republicans supercharged immigration enforcement during the summer of 2025 with $150 billion to expand detention capacity, finish the border wall, and hire deportation officers.
- Advocacy group NumbersUSA is urging the current Congress in the lame duck session to pass lasting border security legislation.
Who's Mentioned
PersonJeremy Beck“Co-president of NumbersUSA”PersonSarah Pierce“Director of social policy for Third Way”PersonAlex Padilla“Democratic Senator from California”locationCalifornia“Home state of Sen. Alex Padilla”OrganizationNumbersUSA“Advocacy group that seeks to restrict immigration”OrganizationThird Way“Washington, D.C., think tank”OrganizationDepartment of Homeland Security“Cabinet department of the U.S. federal government”PersonRobert Garcia“Democratic Representative from California”locationLos Angeles“Area associated with Rep. Robert Garcia”locationMinneapolis“City where enforcement operations were carried out”OrganizationFox News“News media organization”locationNew MexicoOrganizationHouse Oversight Committee“Congressional committee”locationTexas“Home state of Sen.-elect James Talarico”locationWashington, D.C.“Location of Third Way”PersonRichard Blumenthal“Democratic Senator from Connecticut”PersonGabe Vasquez“Democratic Representative from New Mexico”OrganizationImmigration and Customs Enforcement“Federal law enforcement agency”PersonDonald Trump“President of the United States”OrganizationHouse Homeland Security committee“Congressional committee”PersonStephen Miller“Trump's chief of staff”PersonAndrea Flores“Former policy adviser in the Obama and Biden administrations”PersonMarkwayne Mullin“Homeland Security Secretary”PersonBennie Thompson“Democratic Representative from Mississippi”PersonJames Talarico“Democratic Senator-elect from Texas”