New Citizens Head to Polls in 2026 Midterms

Nicole Solis-Sison, a 34-year-old resident of New York City, cast her first vote in a general election this week. She became a U.S. citizen earlier in 2026 after spending more than two decades navigating the federal immigration system. Solis-Sison moved to the United States at age seven when her parents fled the Philippines to seek asylum. She described the moment an Immigration and Naturalization Services agent suggested her family file for asylum as a turning point that allowed them to remain on U.S. soil legally.

The path to citizenship for these voters often involved long waits and complex legal processes. Juan Escalante, 37, grew up in South Florida and did not know he was undocumented until his junior year of high school. His family originally moved from Venezuela when he was 11. Escalante said his parents hired a lawyer who mishandled their immigration case, leaving them out of the line for standard processing. He later gained protected status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. In 2025, Escalante became the first citizen in his family. He resides in California and researched every proposition and candidate on his mail-in ballot before voting.

For voters born in the United States, the motivation often centers on protecting family members who lack legal status. Deisy España, 24, lives in Wisconsin and was born a citizen. Her parents are from Mexico and were undocumented for much of her childhood. España said her mother recently obtained a green card, but fear of immigration enforcement persists. She stated that she is voting on behalf of her parents, who cannot vote themselves. España noted that every encounter with someone affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests reminds her that the situation could have involved her own father.

Leydi Gonzalez, 23, is a citizen from Texas whose parents are from El Salvador. She said she petitioned for their legal status immediately after turning 21. Her parents currently have authorization to stay in the U.S. and are awaiting residency approval. Gonzalez said her family discussed who would care for her siblings if her parents were detained. She cited the recent killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent in Texas as a factor that raised the stakes for her vote. Gonzalez is watching the U.S. Senate race in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is polling ahead of Republican nominee Ken Paxton.

These voters are participating in the 2026 midterm elections. Solis-Sison created a personal voter guide to navigate the ballot. Escalante described his first vote as profoundly personal and emotional. España and Gonzalez both emphasized that their ballots represent the interests of family members who remain in the immigration system. The candidates and propositions on their ballots reflect the specific legal and political contexts of their states.

The 2026 election cycle includes a high-profile Senate race in Texas. Gonzalez said the potential shift in congressional control influences her expectations for immigration policy. She views her vote as a mechanism to secure stability for her family. Solis-Sison, Escalante, España, and Gonzalez all identified immigration as a central priority in their voting decisions. Their first ballots serve as a formal entry into the political process for individuals who have recently secured or maintained their right to participate.