The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pushed back against a “stunning” campaign ad by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL).

The South Florida House Republican sharply criticized President Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far. In July, 50% of the 50,000 people that were detained had no criminal record. Be careful what your advisers are telling you about immigration policy,” Salazar said.

“The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today. You can be for immigration what Lincoln was for slavery and Reagan was for communism. I’m not talking about giving them amnesty. I’m talking about giving them a dignified life in this promised land,” she continued.

“Gone Too Far” – House Republican Releases “Stunning” Campaign Ad Criticizing President Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Efforts

“Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Mullin, there will be NO amnesty for illegal aliens. Not now, not ever. DHS is focused on delivering the most HISTORIC mass deportation campaign in American history—exactly as President Trump promised," a DHS spokesperson said, according to Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Whether Congresswoman Salazar likes it or not, the men and women of ICE are enforcing the laws passed by Congress. To be clear: the only thing America should be giving illegal aliens is a one-way ticket home, or a generous $3,000 check for them to self-deport immediately. We will not ignore the rule of law," the spokesperson added.

Fox News shared further:

It’s a notable choice of words, given that her district voted for Trump by double digits in 2024. But she’s one of several Hispanic lawmakers in the House GOP who have been warning their party could be alienating Hispanic and Latino voters who were critical to Republican wins in recent years.

Salazar’s South Florida district is rated R+6 by the nonpartisan Cook political report, meaning it’s likely to stay in Republican hands. But Democrats are targeting her seat as a potential pickup opportunity as they work to win back control of the House.

She previously took heat from the Freedom Caucus over her bipartisan legislation to reform the asylum process and give a legal pathway to undocumented people already in the U.S. who have not committed crimes.

"President Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts should be applauded and continue as is," House Freedom Caucus leaders said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.

"Any alien who enters this country illegally has committed a crime. The United States should deport every illegal alien. This is America, and this government should be ensuring the dignity of American citizens. Illegal aliens can enjoy dignity in their home country or come to this country legally," the statement continued.

"Granting illegal aliens any legal status to remain in the United States is amnesty. We reject amnesty. The House Freedom Caucus stands with President Trump: secure the border, enforce the law, and lock these policies into statute, so no future administration can erase them with a pen," it added.

More from The New York Times:

Outside of Florida, Democrats are hoping to compete in four Texas districts with large Latino populations that Republicans redrew to be more favorable to their party.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mr. Trump endorsed Ms. Salazar for re-election earlier this year, writing on Truth Social, “SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.” Republicans have generally been reluctant to break with Mr. Trump, fearing both backlash from the president himself and from his supporters. Ms. Salazar’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

Ms. Salazar faces a challenge from Eliott Rodríguez, a Democrat, in a matchup of parallel biographies: Both are Cuban American former broadcast journalists.

Fernand R. Amandi, Mr. Rodríguez’s campaign strategist, accused Ms. Salazar of “lying” in the 30-second ad, which is also airing in Spanish.

“She did this,” Mr. Amandi said in a statement. “She owns all of these deportations, ICE harassment and racial profiling. She voted for all this. She gave Trump the billions in ICE funding and the tools to do this. Don’t let her phony, eleventh-hour, ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ tears fool you because her boss’s immigration policy is now political poison in her re-election campaign.”

Back in Washington, Ms. Salazar has been open about her belief that her party needs to shift, even slightly, on its hard-line stance on immigration if it wants to keep the support of Hispanic voters who helped Mr. Trump win in 2024.

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.