Key facts
- Rep. María Elvira Salazar released a campaign ad criticizing President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
- Salazar stated that some of Trump's immigration enforcement efforts have 'gone too far'.
- The ad suggests that Hispanic voters who supported Trump feel betrayed by his immigration policies.
- Salazar represents a competitive Miami-area district with a large Hispanic population.
- A September Reuters/Ipsos poll found 39% of Americans approved of Trump's handling of immigration, down from 50% shortly after he returned to office in January 2025.
- Trump's overall approval rating stood at 35% in a September 11-14 Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Republican Representative María Elvira Salazar has released a campaign advertisement criticizing President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement efforts, warning that some actions have 'gone too far' and may alienate key voter demographics. The 30-second ad, recorded in English and Spanish in front of the White House, suggests that Trump's signature immigration agenda, a cornerstone of his presidency, could be a liability for the Republican Party as it seeks to retain control of Congress in the upcoming November 3 midterm elections.
Salazar, who represents a competitive, heavily Hispanic district in Miami, stated in the ad, 'Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far. The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.' The ad comes amid fallout from Trump's immigration crackdown, which has seen high deportation numbers despite scaling back some highly visible operations after public backlash. A September Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that 39% of Americans approved of Trump's handling of immigration, a decrease from 50% shortly after he returned to office in January 2025. Trump's overall approval rating in a separate poll was 35%.
The ad does not directly blame Trump but urges him to be cautious about his immigration advisers' policies. This sentiment reflects growing frustration among some Latino voters who previously supported Trump. Other Republicans in competitive races have also sought to distance themselves from the president. Salazar faces a challenge from Democrat Eliott Rodriguez, a former television news anchor, in a race rated 'likely Republican' by nonpartisan analysts but viewed by Democrats as a potential pickup opportunity.