California Governor Gavin Newsom made it super clear where he stands. In a video message, he basically said he’s not backing down from President Trump’s big push to deport thousands of undocumented immigrants. Newsom painted a picture of hardworking immigrants getting picked up at places like Home Depot parking lots or garment factories — not hardened criminals, just people trying to make a living. He also called out the use of masked federal agents and National Guard troops helping with these arrests.

For the Democratic Party, this is a pretty bold move. With many voters still upset about illegal immigration, especially after Trump’s return to office, Democrats now have to decide how much they want to lean into defending immigrants. Republicans, of course, are already hammering them, spending big money on ads to support Trump’s strict immigration plans.

Both Sides Are Digging In

Top Democrat Chuck Schumer praised Newsom, saying he’s “refusing to be intimidated.” But out on the streets of LA, as well as inside Congress, the whole country seems to be in a tug-of-war over its values — are we a country of immigrants or a country focused on strict laws and borders? Right now, over 11 million immigrants live in the U.S. without full legal status, and more are here on temporary protections.

Trump’s plan? Deport about 3,000 people a day — aiming for a million a year. This is exactly what his supporters chanted for with “build the wall” slogans. Now, Americans are watching as Marines and National Guard troops show up in Los Angeles, while similar protests pop up in other places like Omaha, Nebraska, where ICE agents raided a meat plant.

Democratic strategist Joel Payne put it simply: the mood right now is somewhere between Obama’s “nation of immigrants but also laws” and Trump’s much more aggressive plan. Payne also warned that Trump might be going too far, stirring up even more chaos with so much else already happening, like trade fights and economic worries.

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Republicans Go On The Attack

Republicans aren’t holding back. They’re using words like “riots” to describe what’s happening in Los Angeles and are already getting ready to turn that into campaign ads. On Tuesday alone, police arrested over 200 people who wouldn’t leave protest areas and 17 others for breaking curfew. Some were charged with more serious stuff like assaulting officers or throwing Molotov cocktails.

House Speaker Mike Johnson went as far as to say Newsom should be “tarred and feathered” for his leadership, calling California a “safe haven to violent criminal illegal aliens.” Other Republicans in Congress echoed that Democrats are encouraging chaos, while they claim to stand for law and order.

Senator Tom Cotton even suggested it might be time for more military intervention, writing that “violent insurrectionists” have turned parts of LA into “lawless hellscapes.”

Some Republicans Want a Softer Approach

But not every Republican agrees with the harsh approach. GOP Congressman David Valadao from California’s Central Valley said he’s worried about ICE operations in the state. He urged the government to focus on deporting known criminals instead of people who’ve lived peacefully for years and contribute to local communities.

The Fight Over Immigration Isn’t New — But It’s Getting Hotter

As the 2026 midterm elections get closer, both parties are using immigration as a major talking point. Congress still hasn’t been able to pass big immigration reforms, even though it’s been debated for years. Back during Obama’s time, there was hope for a deal that would secure the border while creating legal pathways for long-time immigrants to stay and work. Programs like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) gave some young immigrants temporary protection, but even those protections are now under threat again with Trump back in office.

Democrats feel a bit stronger now about fighting back against Trump’s plans, even though his tough approach has definitely shifted the national conversation. While they stand firmly against Trump’s huge spending bill for detention centers, deportation flights, and thousands of new ICE agents, they’re also starting to talk more openly about increasing border security and focusing on criminals.

Democrats Trying New Strategies

Democratic leaders are also learning from recent elections. Representative Tom Suozzi in New York won by addressing immigration head-on, even crashing one of his opponent’s press conferences. Democrats believe voters want real solutions — not just extreme crackdowns.

“Trump promised to go after the worst criminals, but he’s ignoring laws and due process,” said Democratic Rep. Suzan DelBene. She believes people want leaders who will fight for real issues, keep America moving forward, and hold Trump in check.