The Cuban-American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has expressed her support for undocumented immigrants without criminal records in the United States, arguing that they should not be punished for the actions of those who commit crimes.
In recent statements published on her X account, the Republican representative from Florida emphasized her support for President Donald Trump's immigration policy. According to the congresswoman, the current administration “is trying to undo what happened in the last four years”, referring to the nearly 10 million people who entered at the border during the presidency of Joe Biden (2021-2025).
In this regard, both immigrants seeking a better life and those who break the law will be included in this measure, so Salazar pointed out that "it is true that the righteous will pay for the sinners, and the righteous should not have to pay".
Salazar declared himself one of the few voices in Congress defending immigration in the United States. In his current position, he has promoted proposals aimed at regularizing the status of well-behaved undocumented immigrants, while also advocating for stricter border policies to curb illegal immigration.
"I have sent a letter to the administration (Trump) telling them to be careful with the Cubans with I-220A, with Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Cubans who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and to be cautious with those people who have been in this country for more than five years, who have been contributing to the economy, who have no criminal record, who have American children, who have been paying taxes, who are working, helping the economy, and not to touch them," he stated.
The congresswoman added, insisting on her criticism of the previous administration that "we must understand that the past four years brought these hurricanes, which should never have happened because four years ago there was talk of DACA children, of TPS, and all of that could have been resolved, but then the border issue arises, which is a deluge, and it removes the important matters from the table".
Recently, Salazar said that she would revive a law she presented in May 2023, known as "Dignity" Law, a proposed immigration reform that aims to provide a pathway to legalization for immigrants without criminal records who have lived and worked in the U.S. for at least five years.
This project, as Salazar explained, would allow these immigrants to obtain a temporary legal status in exchange for paying taxes, contributing to a border security fund, and complying with good behavior requirements.
"We must find realistic and humane solutions for those who have contributed to our economy and society without breaking the law.
Moreover, Salazar has advocated on behalf of Cubans who are in the U.S. with I-220A, a measure granted to thousands of migrants who have not received a definitive immigration status.
The congresswoman has requested that these cases be considered with greater flexibility, urging the government to provide them with the opportunity to regularize their situation. "These Cubans have come seeking freedom and should not be sent back to the dictatorship that oppresses them,” she emphasized.
However, her stance has generated criticism both inside and outside the Cuban community. Recently, she was questioned for her lack of a strong response to the deportation threats faced by thousands of Cubans with I-220A, which has sparked a debate about her true level of commitment to the migrant community.
Criticism has escalated among the affected Cubans, who have expressed their discontent with Salazar through social media and news outlets.
In a direct message, some migrants have demanded: "María Elvira, are you going to allow us to be deported?", urging her to take a stronger stance in defense of their situation.
Others have questioned whether she is truly committed to the Cuban community or if her actions are merely driven by political interests.
The congresswoman's stance contrasts with the policies promoted by the Trump administration, which recently reaffirmed its commitment to tightening measures against undocumented immigrants.
From Trump's team, it has been made clear that "all illegal immigrants will be a priority for deportation", which has generated uncertainty among thousands of people who are currently in the U.S. without a defined immigration status.
Additionally, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, emphasized that individuals become “by definition criminals” when they illegally enter the United States.
In this same vein, the Trump administration announced a pause in the permanent residency application process for certain migrants, which has further complicated the situation for those seeking to regularize their status.
These measures have intensified the migration debate in the country and brought to the forefront the need for a comprehensive reform that differentiates between immigrants with criminal records and those who contribute to society.
Filed under:
