Florida Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, who represents the heavily Hispanic 27th Congressional District, launched a television advertisement this week directly addressing President Trump. In the spot, Salazar tells the President that many Hispanic voters feel abandoned by his immigration enforcement agenda.
Salazar’s message to the President
Speaking straight to the camera, Salazar says, “Some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far.” She cites data she says shows that half of the people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in July had no criminal record. Salazar adds, “Be careful what your advisers are telling you about immigration policy. The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”
Administration’s response and context
President Trump’s administration has not yet commented on the ad, but senior officials continue to defend the current immigration enforcement strategy. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, a former congressman from Oklahoma, has repeatedly highlighted the administration’s commitment to securing the border and has posted photos of recent deportation flights.
ICE data released this summer underscores the administration’s aggressive posture. In August, ICE took roughly 51,000 individuals into custody, a new high for the second Trump administration, surpassing the previous peak of more than 46,000 in July. The agency attributes the increase to the President’s directive to enforce existing immigration laws more rigorously and to meet lawful enforcement targets.
Local impact in Florida
Salazar’s district, which includes large portions of Miami‑Dade County, voted for President Trump by nearly 15 points in the 2024 election and is about three‑quarters Hispanic. The district’s voters have long been a key component of the President’s coalition.
Florida has been a focal point for the administration’s immigration enforcement through the 287(g) program, which authorizes state and local law‑enforcement officers to assist ICE. The state hosts the most participating agencies of any state, giving local authorities a significant role in immigration matters.
Critics and concerns
Critics of the administration’s approach point to high‑profile incidents, including the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, during confrontations with federal agents in Minneapolis. They argue that aggressive raids and heightened ICE presence in cities have alienated immigrant communities.
Salazar’s ad also references a recent Department of Homeland Security inspector‑general report that described substandard conditions at a Florida detention facility nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” which was closed over the summer after holding nearly 80 detainees in small metal enclosures.
Looking ahead
Salazar is seeking re‑election in 2026. Her campaign’s outreach to Hispanic voters reflects growing concern among some Republicans that the party may be losing support among Latino voters who backed President Trump in 2024. The ad signals an internal GOP debate over how to balance strong immigration enforcement with the political realities of a diverse electorate.
While the President’s team has yet to issue a direct reply, the administration continues to emphasize that robust enforcement is essential for national security and the rule of law, framing the record ICE arrests as a success of the President’s policies.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
