Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) criticized President Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown in a campaign ad Thursday, arguing his enforcement efforts have “gone too far.”
In the 30-second spot, Salazar, who represents a majority Hispanic South Florida district, directly addressed Trump – warning the commander-in-chief that his Latino supporters “feel betrayed.”
“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far,” the three-term congresswoman said.
“In July, 50% of the 50,000 people that were detained had no criminal record,” she claimed. “Be careful what your advisers are telling you about immigration policies.
“The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”
Salazar, who has pushed congressional legislation that would defer deportations of some migrants without legal status and grant them a pathway for permanent resident status, implored Trump to “be for immigration what Lincoln was for slavery and Reagan was for communism.”
“I’m not talking about giving them amnesty,” she argued. “I’m talking about giving them a dignified life in this promised land, and only you can do that.”
Salazar has been endorsed by Trump in her re-election bid.
“In Congress, María is working hard to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Brave Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” the president wrote on Truth Social in February.
“María Elvira Salazar has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election – SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” he added.
The White House did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal that the department is “focused on delivering the most historic mass deportation campaign in American history—exactly as President Trump promised.”
“Whether Congresswoman Salazar likes it or not, the men and women of ICE are enforcing the laws passed by Congress,” the spokesperson added.
A Pew Research Center survey of Hispanic voters released last November found Trump’s support among Latinos dropping amid his illegal immigration crackdown.
Overall, 78% of Hispanics rated the Trump administration’s policies as harmful to Latinos – up from 69% in 2019.
Among just Hispanic Republicans, 55% said Trump’s policies have been harmful – a 17 percentage point increase from the president’s first term, when only 38% of Hispanic Republicans suggested Trump’s agenda was hurting Latinos.
Meanwhile, a UnidosUS survey published in May found that 1 in 4 Hispanic Trump voters indicated they wouldn’t cast a ballot for the president if they had to do it over again.
