Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida said Sunday that President Trump was open to her concerns about the political fallout from his administration's immigration crackdown, warning that the aggressive enforcement posture could erode the historic gains Republicans made with Hispanic voters in 2024.
In an interview on CBS News's Face the Nation, Salazar described her conversation with Trump as cordial and productive. "He was a gentleman, very courteous, very receptive," she told host Margaret Brennan. Salazar, who is seeking reelection, delivered a pointed message: "Sir, you have this moment in history where you can keep the pot of gold that you brought to the GOP in 2024."
Salazar, a former Spanish-language television journalist with 35 years of experience covering the community, stressed the rarity of Trump's appeal: "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."
Her comments come amid growing unease within Republican ranks over the administration's immigration policies, which have sparked criticism from some conservative lawmakers and advocates. Salazar herself released a campaign ad last week asserting that Trump had gone "too far" with federal immigration enforcement operations.
"The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today," she said in the ad, which has drawn attention for its direct appeal to the president. She added: "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."
The Trump administration has faced intense scrutiny over its immigration agenda, which has included mass deportation operations and stricter border policies. Recent polling suggests Republicans have lost ground with Hispanic voters on the issue, a potential liability heading into the November midterms.
The controversy has been compounded by a series of deadly incidents involving federal immigration authorities. In Minnesota, the killings of two U.S. citizens earlier this year sparked widespread outrage, and over the weekend, a shooting in Austin, Texas, involving an immigration officer prompted an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security's investigations unit.
Salazar's remarks reflect a broader tension within the GOP as it balances the president's hardline stance with the party's efforts to maintain its appeal among Hispanic voters, a key demographic in swing states. Her warning underscores the stakes for Republicans, who are defending a narrow House majority and hoping to expand their coalition.
As the midterms approach, Salazar's message to Trump may resonate with other Republicans who worry that the administration's enforcement tactics could alienate voters who were drawn to the party's economic and social messages. Whether the president heeds that advice remains to be seen, but Salazar's public plea highlights the delicate political calculus facing the GOP.
Related coverage: White House press restrictions draw legal challenges and senators press Trump on fuel exports.
