GOP Representative Breaks With Trump on Immigration Enforcement

Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Republican representing a solidly Republican district in Miami, has publicly diverged from former President Donald Trump on immigration policy. In a newly released campaign advertisement, Salazar stated, "Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far." She further advised Trump to "be careful what your advisors are telling you about immigration policy," warning that "the same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today." Salazar likened her stance to historical figures, saying, "You can be for immigration what Lincoln was for slavery and Reagan was for communism." She clarified her position, emphasizing, "I’m not talking about giving them amnesty. I’m talking about giving them a dignified life in this promised land."

This departure from Trump's hardline stance comes as the midterm election cycle intensifies. Salazar's record in Congress has reflected a dual approach, combining support for stricter border enforcement with efforts to provide pathways for legal status. She has previously backed legislation such as the bipartisan Dignity Act, which aims to offer legal status to certain long-term noncitizens. Additionally, Salazar voted for the 2023 Secure the Border Act and the 2025 Laken Riley Act, both of which focused on enhancing immigration enforcement and mandating the detention of undocumented immigrants accused of crimes.

Trump, whose own immigration platform was a cornerstone of his political rise and 2024 campaign, has endorsed Salazar's bid for reelection. His administration was characterized by its stringent immigration policies, including a focus on deportations. Despite Trump's conservative base, recent polling indicates shifting sentiments. A Fox News poll found that while Trump's overall approval rating stood at 39%, with 61% of registered voters disapproving of his job performance, his standing on immigration was slightly better. On immigration specifically, 56% of voters expressed unhappiness with the president's performance, a figure that still trails his handling of the economy and foreign policy.

Salazar's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.