Final Michigan U.S. Senate Debate Held: Rogers and El-Sayed Clash on Immigration and Social Security
With less than two weeks to go before the November 3 midterm elections, the second and final debate in Michigan's U.S. Senate race was held on the evening of October 21 at the WXYZ-TV studios in Southfield. Republican candidate and former Congressman Mike Rogers faced Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health department director, on immigration enforcement, Social Security, public safety and the cost of living. The race will fill the seat of retiring Senator Gary Peters and could help decide control of the Senate.
On immigration, Rogers, a former FBI agent, praised Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying its operations have gone after rapists, murderers, gang members and drug traffickers and have had "a tremendous impact on crime," and argued they should continue. El-Sayed said the United States does not need ICE, should return to the Immigration and Naturalization Service system, and should provide a clear pathway to citizenship. After the debate, Rogers repeated accusations against El-Sayed to reporters; according to WCMU, Rogers presented no evidence for them. During the debate, El-Sayed said questioning his commitment to the Constitution was "beneath you" and that he is proud to be an American.
On Social Security, Rogers argued for rooting out fraud in the system, calling it "a $500 billion dollar shot." El-Sayed warned that talk of fraud often means cutting the program, and noted Rogers' past support for raising the retirement age to 67. On public safety, Rogers cited his FBI background and pointed to the federal task force in Memphis as a model for sending more federal officers into cities; that task force has also faced civil rights accusations. El-Sayed said he would fund police retirement, retention and recruitment.
In the closing stretch, both campaigns are bringing in star power: former President Barack Obama will rally in Detroit for El-Sayed and other Democratic candidates, while Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Port Huron on Sunday for Rogers and other Republicans. Election officials are urging voters to hand-deliver mail-in ballots to make sure they arrive on time.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 底特律天际线（Lrgjr72 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，Wikimedia Commons）
- 2026-10-21Final Michigan Senate Debate Tonight: El-Sayed and Rogers Face Off in Detroit
- 2026-10-22Final Michigan U.S. Senate Debate Held: Rogers and El-Sayed Clash on Immigration and Social SecurityThis story
- 2026-10-22Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield Urges Voters to Back Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate
