Republican congresswoman warns Trump that advisers may alienate Hispanic voters over immigration

Salazar’s interview on immigration enforcement

Florida Republican Representative María Elvira Salazar appeared on CBS News’ Face the Nation and warned President Donald Trump that some of his advisers were not providing a complete picture of the administration’s immigration actions. She emphasized that the president alone decides which advice to follow, placing responsibility on him for the direction of the policy.

Campaign ad and polling data

Last week Salazar released a 30-second television ad noting that in July, half of the 50,000 people detained by immigration authorities had no criminal record. The ad suggested that Hispanic voters who supported Trump in 2024 felt betrayed by the aggressive deportation strategy. Recent opinion polls cited in the interview indicate a shift among Hispanic voters away from Trump, driven by concerns over the economy and the treatment of law-abiding undocumented immigrants.

Political context and reactions

Salazar, who identifies as a proud Republican and first-generation American, is facing a competitive re-election campaign in a Miami-area district. She reported that 70% of Americans favor some form of immigration reform and criticized the policy of deporting all undocumented immigrants regardless of criminal history. President Trump responded by dismissing Salazar’s concerns and asserting his own strong stance on the border. Other Republican leaders, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, acknowledged internal disagreements over immigration but did not endorse Salazar’s specific claims.