# GOP Congresswoman Tells Trump His Deportations 'Have Gone Too Far'

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/gop-congresswoman-tells-trump-his-deportations-have-gone-too-far
- Published: 2026-09-18T01:08:41.720437+00:00
- Topics: immigration, midterms-2026, republican-party, florida-politics, ice-enforcement

## What the left says
- Data shows July marked the first month where people with only civil immigration violations, not criminal charges or convictions, made up more than half of ICE arrests, undercutting the administration's framing of enforcement as targeting dangerous criminals.
- Salazar's break signals that immigration enforcement, once a political asset for Trump, has become a liability among Hispanic communities who supported him in 2024 but now feel targeted by policies that sweep up non-criminals.
- A competitive Miami race where the Democratic challenger is now polling even with Salazar suggests real electoral consequences for Republicans who don't distance themselves from unpopular enforcement tactics.
- National polling showing majority disapproval of Trump's immigration handling reinforces that this isn't an isolated local complaint but part of a broader erosion of support.

## What the right says
- Salazar's ad is a striking break from a president who personally endorsed her reelection, and it has drawn immediate, sharp criticism from House Freedom Caucus leaders who argue any illegal entry is itself a crime deserving deportation.
- Salazar has a consistent record of pairing tougher border enforcement, including votes for the Secure the Border Act and Laken Riley Act, with support for legal pathways like her DIGNITY Act, so her position reflects a longstanding, not opportunistic, view.
- Critics on the right note that the 'no criminal record' statistic doesn't include immigration violations, meaning the people arrested were still in the country unlawfully even if not otherwise charged with crimes.
- Trump's approval on immigration polls stronger than his approval on the economy or foreign policy, suggesting his hardline approach remains a relative strength that some see Salazar unnecessarily undermining ahead of the midterms.

## Common ground
- In July, more than half of the roughly 50,000 people arrested by ICE had no criminal convictions or pending charges.
- Salazar represents a heavily Hispanic, Miami-area district that Trump carried by double digits in 2024.
- Salazar faces a competitive reelection race against Democrat Eliott Rodriguez ahead of the November midterms.
- Salazar has long supported combining stronger border enforcement with a legal pathway for some long-term undocumented immigrants through her DIGNITY Act.

## Sources
- [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maria-elvira-salazar-trump-immigration-ad-gone-too-far/) (Lean Left)
- [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gone-too-far-gop-candidate-runs-trumps-left-signature-issue-deep-red-area) (Right)
- [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-gop-lawmaker-under-fire-fellow-republicans-after-ad-bashing-trump-immigration) (Right)
- [Daily Caller](https://dailycaller.com/2026/09/17/maria-elvira-salazar-immigration-deportation-trump-ad-dignidad-act) (Right)
- [Daily Wire](https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-backed-republican-takes-aim-at-president-in-bizarre-campaign-ad) (Right)
- [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/us/politics/salazar-florida-republican-immigration-trump.html) (Lean Left)
- [The Guardian US](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/17/republican-maria-elvira-salazar-campaign-ad-trump-immigration) (Left)

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