Florida U.S. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar has told President Donald Trump that some of his immigration policies have gone “too far.” Salazar, who has served in Congress since 2021 and previously received Trump’s endorsement, is running for re‑election in a district heavily affected by the administration’s immigration agenda.
In a 30‑second campaign ad filmed outside the White House, Salazar said the president is alienating his own base and urged him to “be careful” with the advice he receives from immigration advisers. “The same Hispanics who helped you win the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today,” she said.
Arrests in Florida
According to Salazar, half of the 50,000 detainees she referenced in the ad had no criminal record. The White House did not immediately comment on her claims.
Data compiled by the Deportation Data Project at the University of California, Berkeley and UCLA show that ICE agents carried out roughly 12,600 arrests in Florida during June and July. About half of those arrested had no criminal history, and roughly 16% had prior convictions.
In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump won Miami‑Dade County, drawing strong support from Cuban and Venezuelan communities. His hard‑line stance against socialism resonates with many immigrants in South Florida, yet large‑scale raids and deportations are raising concerns among residents and affecting local businesses.
Re‑election battle
Maria Elvira Salazar is seeking another term and faces a challenge from fellow Hispanic community member and political newcomer Eliot Rodriguez, a former local news anchor.
The Cook Political Report rates Florida’s 27th Congressional District as “likely Republican.” A poll released by the Rodriguez campaign on Monday showed both candidates tied at about 45% support.
Roughly three‑quarters of district residents identify as Hispanic. In 2024, Trump carried the district by a 15‑percentage‑point margin, while Salazar outperformed her Democratic opponent by 21 points.
Criticism of immigration policy
Maria Elvira Salazar has been publicly voicing concerns about Trump’s immigration policy for months. She pointed to the December election of the first Democratic mayor in Miami in nearly three decades as a signal to Republicans.
In an interview with Bloomberg News earlier this year, Salazar called that defeat an “early warning” of possible future shifts.
Recent moves to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for citizens of Venezuela and Haiti have also drawn criticism from local officials.
Outgoing Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has made assisting the Trump administration with immigration raids a top priority of his tenure.
“I am not talking about giving them amnesty. I am talking about giving them a dignified life in this promised land,” Salazar said.
Source: Bloomberg
