September 17, 2026 · Political Spectacle & Unusual Conduct
· Political statement
Confirmed
Trump-Backed GOP Rep. Salazar Says His Immigration Crackdown Has 'Gone Too Far'
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., released a campaign ad on Sept. 17, 2026, telling President Trump directly that "some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far," CBS News reported. In the ad, Salazar cited figures showing 50% of the roughly 50,000 people ICE detained in July had no criminal record, and said the Hispanic voters who helped elect Trump in 2024 "feel betrayed." Salazar, who is Cuban American and represents a majority-Hispanic Miami-area district, is running for reelection against a Democratic challenger.
The ad marks a rare public break with Trump by a Republican he has endorsed, reflecting growing unease among some GOP lawmakers in immigrant-heavy districts as enforcement has expanded to include people without criminal records. A CBS News poll found 55% of adults nationally disapprove of Trump's handling of immigration.
The White House had not responded to a request for comment as of publication. Salazar continues to call for legal status for undocumented immigrants without criminal records who have lived and paid taxes in the U.S. for years.
The ad marks a rare public break with Trump by a Republican he has endorsed, reflecting growing unease among some GOP lawmakers in immigrant-heavy districts as enforcement has expanded to include people without criminal records. A CBS News poll found 55% of adults nationally disapprove of Trump's handling of immigration.
The White House had not responded to a request for comment as of publication. Salazar continues to call for legal status for undocumented immigrants without criminal records who have lived and paid taxes in the U.S. for years.