Texas, Florida, and Georgia Candidates Back Trump's Immigration Push

Republican candidates for governor and Senate seats in five states are pledging to intensify cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Their campaigns aim to align state and federal efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records. These candidates run in contests scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Byron Donalds, the Republican candidate for Florida governor, visited a potential ICE center in Orlando on January 29, 2026. He criticized local Democratic leaders who opposed the facility. Donalds stated that Florida will support President Trump and comply with federal immigration laws if he wins the gubernatorial race. His platform includes requiring businesses to use the E-Verify system to check employee work authorization.

Rick Jackson, the Republican candidate for Georgia governor, aims to make the state a leader in deporting lawbreakers. He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he will approach public safety and immigration with the same goal: enforcing the law. Jackson acknowledged in an interview with WSB-TV that a governor cannot legally order direct deportations. However, he plans to increase state cooperation with federal authorities to prioritize those with criminal convictions.

Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate, promises to complete the border wall from the Senate floor. He cited his record of suing the Biden administration over immigration policies. Paxton plans to support legislation that funds border infrastructure and expands the federal government's ability to execute deportations. He emphasizes targeting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.

Andy Barr, the Kentucky Republican running for the Senate, has made funding ICE a central part of his campaign. He helped pass a budget law in July 2025 that provided $75 billion for the agency over four years. ICE reported its workforce grew from 10,000 to 22,000 employees and agents, a 120 percent increase. Barr stated in a campaign ad that he helped triple the number of ICE agents under President Trump.

Marsha Blackburn, the Tennessee Republican seeking the governorship, pledged to deport all undocumented immigrants in the state. In a July 14, 2026, campaign ad, she warned that immigrants living without status cannot stay and must pay for crimes. She supports the 287(g) program, which allows local police to perform immigration functions under federal supervision. Blackburn told WSMV on October 22, 2026, that Tennessee must strengthen these existing agreements.

Blackburn cited the Memphis Safe Task Force as a model for local and federal collaboration. She argued that state laws should require cooperation with ICE and set conditions for public benefits. While governors cannot unilaterally order deportations, they can influence how state agencies work within the federal legal framework. Each candidate tailors their approach to their specific state's legal powers while backing the broader federal agenda.