New Citizens Cast First Votes in Midterm Elections
Young voters from immigrant families are prioritizing family security and economic stability as they navigate their first general elections.
By Grace Anderson ·
Nicole Solis-Sison is voting for the first time in New York City.
At 34, she became a U.S. citizen earlier this year after arriving in Los Angeles at age seven. Her family fled the Philippine government and sought asylum. An immigration agent suggested they file for asylum after interviewing them. She has spent more than two decades in the system. Now she is creating a voter guide and diary to inform her ballot choices.
Juan Escalante, 37, is also voting in his first general election. He is from Venezuela and moved to the United States at age 11. He discovered he was undocumented during his junior year of high school after his parents hired a lawyer who mishandled their immigration case. He gained protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. He became the first member of his family to graduate college in 2025. As a California resident, he spent significant time researching every proposition on his mail-in ballot to ensure his vote reflected his community's needs.
Many of these voters are weighing economic factors alongside immigration policy. Solis-Sison worries about buying a home and paying off student loans. Escalante focused on candidates who support his values as an immigrant and Latino voter. He noted that his parents hold green cards, yet the family still worries about their future status.
Deisy España, 24, is a U.S. citizen from a mixed-status family in Wisconsin. Her parents are from Mexico, and both were undocumented while she was growing up. Her mother recently obtained a green card. España said she is voting for her parents who cannot vote. She cited recent ICE activity in the news as a source of ongoing fear for her family.
Leydi Gonzalez, 23, is a citizen in Texas. Her parents are from El Salvador. She turned 21 last year and petitioned for their legal status. They now have authorization to be in the U.S. and are awaiting residency approval. Her family discussed care for their siblings in case of detention. She is watching a competitive U.S. Senate race in Texas where Democrat James Talarico is polling ahead of Republican Ken Paxton. She says she is voting for her family's security.
These voters are using their first ballots to address specific personal and family risks.
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