GOP Representative Warns Trump's Immigration Policies Risk Alienating Hispanic Voters

Florida Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar has expressed concerns that President Trump's administration's immigration policies are negatively impacting the Republican Party's standing with Hispanic voters. Salazar, who has a background in Spanish-language media, stated that she believes some of Trump's advisers are not presenting a complete picture of the situation and are potentially jeopardizing his legacy.

"I think that some of his advisers are compromising his legacy, and I think it’s my duty not to attack — there are no attacks here," Salazar said on CBS News' "Face the Nation." She emphasized that her intention was to forewarn and advise the president from the perspective of a congresswoman representing a South Florida area with a significant Hispanic population.

Salazar highlighted the distinction between targeting individuals involved in criminal activities and broader immigration enforcement, suggesting a need for a more nuanced approach. "They’re just forewarning him and advising him, as a member of Congress from the South Florida area, that some of his advisers are just not presenting the whole picture," she explained.

Despite her criticisms of the current strategy, Salazar acknowledged Trump's past success in attracting Hispanic voters. Exit polls from the 2024 election indicated that Trump garnered support from Hispanic and Latino men, a demographic that played a crucial role in his electoral success.

"It was a very good conversation," Salazar recounted about her discussion with Trump. "I told him exactly what you just repeated. ‘Sir, you have this moment in history where you can keep the pot of gold that you brought to the GOP in 2024.’" She urged him to preserve the gains made with the Hispanic community, noting that "No other president was able to convince the Hispanics to vote 55 points for a GOP president."

As a first-generation American and the daughter of refugees from Cuba, Salazar stated her commitment to preserving what she views as core American values, which she believes are aligned with the Republican Party. She also voiced concerns about the rise of socialism in the U.S. and the importance of the upcoming midterm elections.

Previously, Salazar had voiced strong opposition to a U.S. oil deal with Venezuela, criticizing the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. She later adjusted her statement, characterizing the deal as a "good deal" and a "necessary evil" to stabilize the region, implying a strategic rationale behind the administration's actions.