Latino Republican lawmakers who align with President Donald Trump face the challenge of balancing their support for his immigration measures with reassuring their immigrant constituents that they will not be adversely affected. The GOP-sponsored Congressional Hispanic Conference, which backed Trump’s election by emphasizing his border security policies and the removal of violent offenders, is at the forefront of this political balancing act. Recently appointed as the conference’s chairman, Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, voices his support for Trump’s immigration agenda, citing the need to combat lawlessness. While advocating for the deportation of convicted criminal aliens, Gonzales emphasizes the distinction by stating that individuals like “your ‘abuelita'” would not be targeted. Similar sentiments have been echoed by other CHC members in leadership roles. Trump’s pledge to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds and implement an extensive deportation program has raised concerns among Latino Republican lawmakers. Criticisms have emerged from Republican strategist Mike Madrid, who opposes Trump, regarding the administration’s deportation approach. The termination of legal immigration programs by the Trump administration has heightened anxieties among Latino Republican legislators, particularly in Florida. The delicate balance between supporting Trump and safeguarding immigrant constituents is evident among the three Latino members of Congress from South Florida. Changes in immigration policy, such as the revocation of a parole program for specific immigrant groups and the expansion of enforcement discretion powers for immigration officials, have prompted Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., to advocate for due process and protection for affected constituents. Salazar emphasizes the need to support immigrants who have no criminal record and have followed legal asylum procedures. The recent termination of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan immigrants by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has further intensified concerns. Venezuelan residents in South Florida, a stronghold for Republicans, express feelings of betrayal over the decision.
When the terminations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) were announced, Florida, with the largest population of Venezuelan immigrants of any state, saw responses from Florida Republican Representatives Salazar, Mario Díaz-Balart, and Carlos Gimenez. They issued a joint statement in support of the president, highlighting President Trump’s solidarity with the Venezuelan people and the exploitation of generosity and flouting of laws by individuals such as members of the Tren de Aragua with connections to the Maduro regime and organized crime.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart requested protection for law-abiding Venezuelans at risk of deportation due to the TPS termination, while Gimenez and Díaz-Balart sent letters to Noem expressing concern about the situation and urging for a solution that spares law-abiding Venezuelans. Despite not criticizing the administration’s decision, they emphasized that conditions in Venezuela have not significantly improved.
Republican legislators, including Gimenez and Díaz-Balart, wrote letters expressing concerns but did not explicitly oppose the policy. Salazar’s office confirmed her alignment with the President’s approach on border security, supporting initiatives like the federal e-Verify database, physical barriers at the Southern border, and enhanced border technology to combat crime.
In terms of asylum and citizenship pathways for undocumented immigrants, Salazar prioritizes preserving protections for Cuban migrants and TPS for Venezuelans. Geraldo Cadava, a history professor, highlighted the inconsistencies in the GOP’s immigration stance, noting the mixed messages on immigrants as both threats and contributors to the nation.
The political landscape also shows Democrats navigating complex positions on immigration. The Laken Riley Act, signed into law by Trump, permits the arrest and detention of individuals not legally in the country charged with certain crimes, regardless of conviction. The bill received bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, indicating divergent views within the Democratic Party on immigration issues.
Latinos have shifted to the right in their support for increased enforcement and deportations, but they remain more favorable towards pathways to legalization for undocumented immigrants without criminal records. According to Madrid, when it comes to the immigration debate, there may not be a clear winner, but there will certainly be losers. He suggested that if Republicans push too hard on this issue, they risk losing support. However, if the Trump administration avoids repeating the large-scale workplace raids and family separations of its first term, Republicans may be able to maintain some level of Latino support in the 2024 elections. Madrid pointed out that the 2018 midterms saw the highest Latino voter turnout in history, with a strong anti-Trump sentiment among Latino voters. He attributed this to the ICE raids and crackdowns that occurred in 2017 under the first Trump administration.
