Rep. María Elvira Salazar Warns Trump: Hardline Immigration Policies Risk Alienating Hispanic Voters

Representative María Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Florida, doubled down Sunday on her criticism of parts of the Biden-era immigration enforcement approach adopted under President Donald Trump’s administration, saying some advisers are "compromising his legacy." Speaking on CBS' Face the Nation, Salazar defended a campaign ad that warned the administration's immigration tactics had "gone too far" and risked alienating Hispanic voters who helped deliver Trump's 2024 victory.

Salazar said she had conveyed the ad's message directly to the president during a recent private conversation. "It was a very good conversation. He was a gentleman, very courteous, very receptive," she said. She repeated the ad's central claim: Hispanic voters who supported Trump in 2024 feel "betrayed" by some enforcement actions.

"Sir, you have this moment in history where you can keep the pot of gold that you brought to the GOP in 2024," she recalled telling the president. "No other president was able to convince the Hispanics to vote 55 points for a GOP president. Please preserve that fortune that you have brought to the party."

Salazar, who represents Florida's 27th Congressional District in the Miami area, urged the administration to distinguish between violent offenders and long-settled immigrants. "The average American understands the difference between the narco and the nanny and the gangster and the gardener," she said.

Policy Push And The Dignity Act

A longtime advocate for immigration reform, Salazar has promoted the Dignity Act, legislation designed to create a legal process for certain undocumented immigrants already living in the United States while simultaneously strengthening border security. She has repeatedly argued that border security and immigration reform should be treated as related but distinct issues and has opposed deporting individuals with deep community ties and no serious criminal records.

"You could fix this mess that has been happening for 40 years," Salazar said of the immigration system. "He's the only person who can do it because he gets it. He's a businessman."

Advisers, Backlash And White House Response

When pressed by moderator Margaret Brennan about her claim that the president was receiving poor counsel from some aides, Salazar declined to name specific officials but reiterated that "some of his advisers are compromising his legacy." Brennan mentioned figures such as Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, border czar Tom Homan and conservative adviser Stephen Miller, but Salazar refused to confirm or single out individuals.

The ad prompted immediate criticism from MAGA-aligned commentators and activists, including Tomi Lahren and Laura Loomer, who accused Salazar of undermining Trump's immigration agenda and urged the president to withdraw his endorsement. Earlier this year, hard-liners similarly attacked the Dignity Act as "amnesty," prompting a public clash between Salazar and some Republican colleagues.

Trump himself criticized Salazar's ad but did not rescind his endorsement, telling reporters, "She obviously doesn't have a very strong feeling for the border, but I do. She's a nice person. I got her elected. Without me, she wouldn't have gotten elected." He emphasized his commitment to strict border enforcement while stopping short of withdrawing support for Salazar.

Public Opinion And Political Stakes

Salazar's intervention comes amid signs that Republican advantages on immigration have narrowed since 2024. An August Reuters/Ipsos survey found 40% of registered voters said Republicans had the better approach to immigration versus 38% for Democrats, the smallest gap of Trump's second term. A July Gallup poll found 73% of Americans view immigration as beneficial to the country and only 29% supported reducing immigration levels, with Republican support for lower immigration declining from its 2024 peak.

Despite criticism from the MAGA movement and tensions inside her party, Salazar said she will continue to press for reforms that separate enforcement of criminal activity from policies toward long-term, noncriminal immigrants. "I am a proud Republican," she said. "I'm coming from a good place. I'm telling him, 'Sir, look what you did. Don't squander it.'"

News outlets sought comment from the White House. This report synthesizes statements made by Rep. Salazar, public polling data, and reactions from political commentators and the White House.