Florida Republican Representative María Elvira Salazar intensified her criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement on Sunday, warning that certain advisers risked undermining the president’s legacy. In an appearance on CBS News’ Face the Nation, the Miami-area congresswoman — who is engaged in a competitive re-election campaign — urged President Trump not to “squander” his connection with Hispanic voters. While she framed her remarks as a critique of senior administration officials, her focus centered on Trump’s pledge to execute the largest mass deportation of undocumented immigrants in U.S. history.

Salazar told CBS News that she was “forewarning” the president as a member of Congress representing south Florida, emphasizing that “some of his advisers are just not presenting the whole picture.” When asked whether she was referring to Tom Homan, Trump’s designated border chief, or Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff overseeing the removal of undocumented children, Salazar placed responsibility on Trump himself. “He is the only elected official in the White House. He is the one who has to determine who he listens to and who he does not listen to. He is the president.”

Her warning follows a recent 30‑second advertisement she released that highlighted the detention of 50,000 individuals in July, half of whom had no criminal record. The ad cautioned, “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.”

Recent opinion polls cited by Salazar indicate growing dissatisfaction among Hispanic voters who supported Trump in 2024, with many now distancing themselves over concerns about rising living costs, the administration’s economic policies, and the aggressive immigration crackdown that has resulted in the detention and deportation of numerous hardworking, tax‑paying undocumented immigrants.

In the CBS interview, Salazar described herself as “a proud Republican” and “first‑generation American,” stating that she wants to preserve “American values that are entrenched in the Republican party and that the Hispanics share.” She noted that 70 % of Americans favor some form of immigration reform and pushed back against the administration’s blanket deportation approach, asserting that “the average America understands the difference between the narco and the nanny, and the gangster and the gardener.”

Salazar is currently locked in a tight race against Democratic challenger Eliott Rodriguez in her Miami‑area district, a contest that contrasts with her 2024 victory margin of 20 points and Trump’s 15‑point win in the same area. On Saturday, Trump responded to her criticism, saying, “She obviously doesn’t have a very strong feeling about the border. I do,” and adding, “Without me, she wouldn’t have gotten elected.”

Her public break with the administration has drawn attention to concerns among Republicans that Hispanic voter discontent could jeopardize the party’s prospects in the upcoming midterm elections, potentially flipping several House seats in Colorado, Florida, Texas, Nevada and other states. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, appearing on ABC News’ This Week, acknowledged internal party divisions over immigration, stating, “I don’t necessarily agree with that statement,” while also noting, “When you look at what María said, obviously we have a lot of disagreements in Congress … Even among Republicans we have disagreements on how to actually get to the secure border that we have.”