Trump administration says it has no plans for ICE officers at polls. Activists are preparing, anyway

“We’re going to make sure that we have boots on the ground to make sure the voter is not disrupted in that process,” he said during the meeting of the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions.

Official response and confirmed impact

Trump administration critics point to the president’s comments saying he thinks Republicans should “take over the voting in at least 15 places.” They also note some longtime Trump allies, including right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon, welcoming an ICE presence at the polls.

“President Trump is not willing to rule it out. Secretary Mullin is not willing to rule it out.

And so we have to be ready," Freeman said.

Activists who have filed lawsuits to prevent any ICE presence at polling locations say the rhetoric from the administration and its allies coupled with months of immigration enforcement activities have left Latino, Asian American, Black and other voters concerned.

Activists say many Latinos, even U.S. citizens, already limit everyday activities because they are worried about ICE.

They say it doesn't take a lot to spread fear on Election Day.

Incident under investigation

Dan Freeman, litigation director for the Democratic National Committee, agrees there is a low likelihood of immigration agents at voting locations, but his team is prepared to go to court should the administration try.