Newly Naturalized Citizens Cast First Votes to Protect Family Status

Nicole Solis-Sison is casting her first ballot in New York City this year, driven by a desire to protect others navigating the same immigration hurdles that kept her family in the United States for over two decades. The 34-year-old citizen spent seven years in the Philippines before her parents fled the government and sought asylum in Los Angeles. An agent from the former Immigration and Naturalization Services agency advised her family to file for asylum after they landed, a decision that eventually led to her citizenship earlier this year. Solis-Sison said she created her own voter guide and diary to prepare for this milestone, viewing the act as a duty to those left behind.

Juan Escalante, a 37-year-old California resident, also faces a high-stakes election as a first-time voter. Originally from Venezuela, Escalante moved to the United States at age 11 and discovered his undocumented status during his junior year of high school. His parents hired a lawyer who mishandled their immigration case, removing them from the queue for legal status. Escalante gained protection through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allowed him to become the first member of his family to graduate college. He became a U.S. citizen in 2025 and received his mail-in ballot with a mix of excitement and overwhelm due to the length of the California ballot.

Escalante said he meticulously researched every proposition and candidate to ensure his vote reflected his values as an immigrant and a Latino. Although his parents hold green cards, the family worries about their future status. Escalante described the experience as profoundly personal, noting that he is proud to be an American citizen and wants to see that pride translated into policy that serves the community.

Deisy España, a 24-year-old citizen from Wisconsin, is voting for her mixed-status family. Born in the U.S., España has always been a citizen, while her parents from Mexico were undocumented for much of her childhood. She recalled the fear in her mother’s eyes during police traffic stops, realizing later that they were worried about being handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Her mother recently obtained a green card, but España said the anxiety persists. She stated that she is voting for her parents, who cannot vote, and wants to protect them from the hardline immigration stance of the current administration.

Leydi Gonzalez, a 23-year-old citizen in Texas, shares a similar motivation. Her parents are from El Salvador and currently have authorization to remain in the U.S. through her sponsorship. Gonzalez said the primary goal of turning 21 was to petition for her parents’ legal status, not social milestones. The family has discussed contingency plans for caring for their younger siblings if Gonzalez’s parents were detained or deported, a conversation she described as scary but necessary.

Gonzalez cited the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas by an ICE agent as a recent event that heightened community anxiety. She is watching the high-profile U.S. Senate race in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is polling ahead of Republican nominee Ken Paxton. Gonzalez said she feels the stakes are higher than in previous elections, particularly if control of Congress shifts. She views her vote as a direct way to provide a sense of security for her family.

Solis-Sison, Escalante, España, and Gonzalez represent a cohort of young voters who view the 2026 midterms as a mechanism for family stability. Their ballots reflect specific concerns about housing affordability, student debt, and immigration enforcement. For these individuals, the vote is not just about personal preference but about securing legal standing and safety for relatives who arrived in the country with little more than hope and the advice of an immigration agent.

Each voter emphasized the weight of their decision. Solis-Sison felt a responsibility to those harmed by the process. Escalante researched his ballot to avoid taking his new right for granted. España prayed for her parents’ safety. Gonzalez focused on the legal pathway her parents are currently traversing. These first-time and newly naturalized voters are entering the polls with a clear focus on translating personal history into political power.