Rep. María Elvira Salazar Criticizes Trump's Immigration Enforcement Policies

Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) criticized President Trump's immigration enforcement policies in a campaign advertisement released on Thursday, stating that his efforts have "gone too far." Salazar, who represents a majority Hispanic district in South Florida, addressed Trump directly in the 30-second ad, expressing that his Latino supporters "feel betrayed." Salazar claimed that in July, 50% of the 50,000 individuals detained had no criminal record and cautioned Trump about the advice he receives regarding immigration policies. She stated, "The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today." Salazar has advocated for legislation that would defer deportations for certain migrants without legal status and provide them a pathway to permanent residency. She urged Trump to adopt a more compassionate approach to immigration, comparing his potential role to that of Abraham Lincoln regarding slavery and Ronald Reagan concerning communism. Salazar clarified that she is not advocating for amnesty but rather for a dignified life for migrants. Trump has endorsed Salazar in her re-election campaign, highlighting her efforts in Congress to support various economic and security initiatives. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security stated that the department is focused on a significant deportation campaign, emphasizing that ICE is enforcing laws passed by Congress. A Pew Research Center survey indicated a decline in Trump's support among Hispanic voters, with 78% rating his policies as harmful to Latinos, an increase from 69% in 2019. Among Hispanic Republicans, 55% now view Trump's policies as harmful, up from 38% during his first term. Additionally, a UnidosUS survey found that 25% of Hispanic Trump voters would reconsider their support for him if given another chance.