New Citizens Cast Ballots in Midterms Driven by Family Status

Nicole Solis-Sison, 34, is casting her first ballot in New York City this year. She became a U.S. citizen earlier in 2026 after more than two decades in the immigration system. Her parents fled the Philippine government and sought asylum in Los Angeles when she was seven. An immigration agent from the then-Immigration and Naturalization Services recommended they file for asylum. The family was not deported to Manila. Solis-Sison now votes with a focus on protecting those still in the process.

Juan Escalante, 37, will vote in his first general election as a California resident. He moved from Venezuela to South Florida at age 11. He discovered he was undocumented during his junior year of high school after his parents’ attorney mishandled their case. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, established under the Obama administration, allowed him to stay. He became a citizen in 2025. Escalante described the act of filling out his mail-in ballot as a profound personal event. He researched every proposition and candidate to ensure his vote supported his community.

Deisy España, 24, is a citizen from Wisconsin with parents from Mexico. Her parents were undocumented for most of her childhood. Her mother recently obtained a green card. España said she is voting for her parents who cannot vote. She noted that fear of ICE detention remains present in her household. Every time she hears about an ICE arrest, she worries it could have been her father. The increased visibility of immigration enforcement since the current administration took office has heightened her sense of urgency.

Leydi Gonzalez, 23, is a citizen from Texas. Both of her parents are from El Salvador. She turned 21 last year and immediately petitioned for her parents’ legal status. They now have authorization to stay in the U.S. and are waiting for residency approval. Gonzalez said her family has discussed who would care for her siblings if her parents were detained. She cited the recent killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas by an ICE agent as a reminder of the risks. She is voting in a high-profile U.S. Senate race in Texas where Democrat James Talarico is polling ahead of Republican Ken Paxton. Gonzalez stated she is voting for the security of her family.

These voters share a common motivation that differs from traditional economic priorities. While many young voters worry about buying homes or paying student loans, these individuals cite family legal status as their primary concern. Solis-Sison said she feels a weight to protect those left behind. Escalante said he is proud to be a citizen and wants his values as a Latino immigrant to be translated through his ballot. España said the stakes feel higher this year. Gonzalez said the election represents a sense of security for her family.