Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar warned President Donald Trump that some immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far. The Florida Republican delivered the warning in a new campaign ad recorded outside the White House in Washington. She said Hispanic supporters who backed Trump in 2024 now feel betrayed. Her message drew strong criticism on X, including calls for her removal from office.
Salazar pointed to July detention figures while challenging Trump’s enforcement approach. “In July, 50% of the 50,000 people that were detained had no criminal record,” she said. “Be careful what your advisors are telling you about immigration policy.”
She then turned to Hispanic voters who supported Trump’s 2024 campaign. “The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.” Salazar said she was not calling for amnesty.
Instead, she said immigrants should receive “a dignified life in this promised land.” The ad did not outline a specific policy proposal for that approach. Salazar closed by identifying herself and approving the campaign message.
Maria Elvira Salazar’s Immigration Warning Draws Sharp Backlash
Responses to Salazar’s message on X challenged her position on deportations, amnesty and whether she spoke for Hispanic Trump supporters.
“Maria Elvira Salazar MUST GO!” one user wrote, while another pointed to Trump’s campaign mandate: “When we voted for MASS deportations, we meant it.”
Others focused on Salazar’s rejection of the amnesty label. “How many times is she going to try and say amnesty isn’t amnesty?” one response questioned.
A South Florida user questioned the timing and motivation behind the message. “As a South Floridian, I cant understate how desperate this ad is.”
Not every response rejected Salazar’s criticism of Trump. “Trump has betrayed everyone except those of us who knew who he really was,” one user wrote.
Another response partly agreed with her argument while questioning her motives. “I mean, she’s not wrong, it’s just that she’s not authentic and only says this to save her own power.”
Salazar did not specify what immigration enforcement changes she wants Trump to make. Her message stopped short of proposing amnesty.
