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FIRST ON FOX: A House GOP lawmaker’s pointed message to President Donald Trump criticizing his immigration policy is under fire from her Republican colleagues.
Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., released a campaign ad on Thursday that attacked Trump’s handling of immigration enforcement, specifically arguing that he has gone too far in pursuing people without criminal records.
“President Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts should be applauded and continue as is,” House Freedom Caucus leaders said in an official statement first 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.”
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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.”
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The ad takes place outside the White House, with Salazar directly addressing the camera.
“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far,”
Salazar said. “Be careful what your advisors are telling you about immigration policy. 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. And only you can do that,” she said.
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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 currently 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.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also pushed back on Salazar, telling Fox News in a statement: “DHS 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. 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 DHS spokesperson said.
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