New citizens prioritize family in 2026 election
Young voters with immigrant family histories report feeling a duty to protect relatives who lack voting power.
By Jonathan Reed ·
Nicole Solis-Sison, a 34-year-old resident of New York City, cast her first ballot in this year's midterm election. She became a U.S. citizen earlier this year after residing in the country for more than two decades. Her family fled the Philippine government when she was seven years old. An immigration agent from the then-Immigration and Naturalization Services agency recommended they file for asylum, a decision that allowed them to remain legally in the United States.
Solis-Sison stated that her experience with the immigration system informs her current voting choices. She described feeling a responsibility to protect others who are currently navigating similar bureaucratic processes. She noted that her family survived the initial legal challenges with only a small amount of hope, a reality that shapes her political priorities in this election cycle.
Juan Escalante, 37, will also vote in his first general election this year. Originally from Venezuela, he moved to the United States at age 11. He discovered his undocumented status during his junior year of high school after his parents mishandled their immigration case with a lawyer. He gained legal protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and became a citizen in 2025. He is the first member of his family to hold American citizenship.
Escalante, who resides in California, said he researched every proposition and candidate on his mail-in ballot thoroughly. He emphasized that his vote supports his family and community. Although his parents hold green cards, the family remains concerned about their future legal status. He aims to translate his values as an immigrant and a Latino into his voting decisions.
Deisy España, 24, is a U.S. citizen born in Wisconsin, but her parents are from Mexico. Both parents were undocumented while she was growing up. Her mother recently obtained a green card, but España said the fear of immigration enforcement persists. She cited recent high-profile arrests and deaths involving ICE agents as reminders of the risks her family has faced. She stated that she is voting for her parents, who cannot vote, and that this motivation feels stronger than in previous elections.
Leydi Gonzalez, 23, is a citizen from Texas whose parents are from El Salvador. She reached age 21 specifically to petition for her parents' legal status. They have since received authorization to remain in the U.S. and are awaiting residency approval. Gonzalez said her family discussed contingency plans for her siblings in case her parents were detained or deported. She views this election as a critical moment for her family's security, particularly in the context of the U.S. Senate race in Texas.
These voters represent a demographic that often focuses on immigration policy as a primary issue. They report that the stakes feel higher in this election due to recent enforcement actions and legislative changes. They are casting ballots not just for their own future, but for the legal standing of relatives who remain vulnerable in the system.
The 2026 midterm election includes contests for the U.S. House and Senate, as well as various state and local offices. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico is polling ahead of Republican nominee Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race. Gonzalez and other young voters in the state are paying close attention to this contest, viewing it as a direct factor in the safety of their families.
