Politics · Germany · 21 hrs ago
AfD leaders clash over ICE after US midterm losses
After Republicans suffered heavy losses in the US midterm elections, two senior AfD figures disagreed over ICE, the US immigration enforcement agency.
AfD leader Tino Chrupalla said ICE’s approach to deportations had been rejected by many voters and argued that migration policy should unite people rather than divide them.
He also said the Iran war was part of the problem for Republicans.
Deputy leader Sven Tritschler disagreed, saying tough immigration enforcement may involve disturbing scenes and that criticism of ICE was misplaced.
ICE had faced criticism over sometimes brutal operations, and its agents shot US citizens Renée Good and Alex Pretti.
The Democrats now control both the US Senate and House of Representatives, after winning seats Republicans had been expected to keep.
AfD leader Tino Chrupalla criticized US immigration agency ICE after Republicans suffered a major defeat in the midterm elections.
AfD deputy leader Sven Tritschler rejected the criticism and defended tough enforcement against illegal migration.
Chrupalla said ICE’s approach to deportations was unpopular with majorities in the United States.
Tritschler said migration policy could involve disturbing television images and called the criticism of ICE inappropriate.
The article says ICE agents shot US citizens Renée Good and Alex Pretti.
- Who
- AfD leader Tino Chrupalla and deputy leader Sven Tritschler.
- What
- They disagreed over ICE and its approach to immigration enforcement after US midterm losses.
- When
- The dispute was reported on November 7, 2026, after the midterm elections.
- Where
- The dispute was within the AfD leadership in Germany; the election and ICE debate concerned the United States.
- Why
- Chrupalla said ICE’s approach was rejected by majorities. Tritschler argued that tough migration enforcement may involve disturbing images and defended ICE.
Tino Chrupalla
Sven Tritschler
ICE's approach
Tino Chrupalla
Chrupalla said ICE’s approach to deportations was rejected by majorities in the United States.
Sven Tritschler
Tritschler said criticism of ICE was inappropriate and defended tough action against illegal migration.
Migration enforcement
Tino Chrupalla
Chrupalla said migration policy should unite rather than divide.
Sven Tritschler
Tritschler said a change in asylum and migration policy could not be achieved in a gentle way or without disturbing television images.
US Republicans suffered a major defeat in the midterm elections, losing seats to Democrats.
Chrupalla criticized ICE in a video message posted on X.
Tritschler disagreed in comments to The Pioneer and defended ICE.
- AfD leader
- Tino Chrupalla
- AfD deputy leader
- Sven Tritschler
- ICE shooting victims
- Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both US citizens
- US election result
- Democrats gained control of the Senate and House of Representatives
- Article date
- November 7, 2026
What people are saying
In the US, the approach of the remigration agency ICE was also rejected by majorities.
Anyone who believes that a change in asylum and migration policy can somehow be “cosy” and happen without disturbing images on television is barking up the wrong tree.
In that respect, criticism of ICE is inappropriate.