In late September, a rift within the U.S. Republican Party came to the fore when Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican member of the House of Representatives from Florida, criticized the extreme immigration policies of the former administration - which did not remain silent in response. The episode unfolded on the eve of the midterm elections, scheduled for November, and highlights tensions within Republican circles regarding the limits of immigration control measures and the party’s relationship with the Latino electorate, particularly in South Florida.

The daughter of Cuban immigrants and exiles, Salazar represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District - a region with a significant Latino presence - and is currently running for another term in the House of Representatives. In a campaign video, she stated that the immigration control actions adopted under Trump “went too far”. Although she had received strong backing from the former president during her previous run, she argued that the administration’s approach - specifically the conduct of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - should be re-evaluated, noting that many detained immigrants had no prior criminal records.

The backlash was also driven by a decline in Washington’s popularity among the Latino population - a demographic that played a significant role in the current administration’s electoral victory. In this context, supporters of the Republican Party found themselves divided: some agreed with the congresswoman, while others accused her of betrayal. Although Donald Trump did not issue a direct statement, he signaled his disappointment via his own social media platform, "Truth", by sharing comments from his followers. These messages included accusations that the congresswoman supported "amnesty" for immigrants who had entered the country illegally; one post even explicitly called for her to be replaced by another Republican. According to CNN, Trump shared at least 14 posts critical of the congresswoman in rapid succession.

Salazar eventually addressed the incident, stating that she had spoken with the president and implying that the matter had been resolved. The episode, therefore, does not necessarily signify a rift between Salazar and the Republican Party, but it does reveal differing stances regarding the agenda on border security, immigration enforcement, and the integration of immigrants already living in the United States.

As the midterm elections approach, this controversy has once again placed immigration at the center of the political debate in districts with large Latino populations. While Trump’s reaction highlights existing disagreements on the issue, the congresswoman is seeking to distinguish her position - advocating for policies that go beyond strictly rigid immigration measures - while engaging directly with voters in South Florida, where the issue of immigration carries significant political and social weight, in an effort to expand her base.