Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has once again positioned herself at the center of the immigration debate in the United States by asserting that migrant workers "cannot be deported," as they are essential for the economic functioning of the country.
During an interview with journalist Jorge Sánchez Grass on Radio Mambí, the representative for District 27 in Florida firmly defended the millions of undocumented immigrants who have lived and worked in the United States for over a decade.
"The invisible workers who support the U.S. cannot be deported," he stated, referring to those employed in sectors such as construction, agriculture, and hospitality.
Salazar acknowledged that he has received harsh criticism from conservative factions within his own party.
“Many in the district where I have been criticized, especially the right wing of the Republicans, say I am in favor of illegal immigrants. But the truth is that in the United States there are between 10 and 15 million people who form an invisible layer of workers with no criminal background, who did not come in with Biden, and who are essential for keeping the economy afloat,” he stated.
He warned that a mass deportation of these immigrants would be disastrous for the country's economy and would take about 20 years.
"Those people are essential and cannot be deported because the economy will collapse. We need all kinds of labor for the American economy to remain the number one in the world," he emphasized.
Recently, Salazar launched a legislative proposal called "Dignity Law", which he believes is a bipartisan alternative to the extreme solutions that dominate the current discourse.
"They have told us that there are only two options: amnesty or mass deportations. I have a third: order, law, and dignity," he wrote on his X account, reaffirming that "the solution exists."
The congresswoman announced that she will formally present the bill before the end of the month, alongside Democrat Veronica Escobar (TX-16), as part of a bipartisan effort to reform the immigration system.
The proposal aims to provide a pathway to legalization for immigrants without a criminal record who have lived and worked in the U.S. for at least five years. They were referred to as “the silent heroes who are day in and day out doing the jobs that nobody wants to do.”
Salazar has also reiterated his commitment to the Cuban migrant community. In March, he specifically urged the Trump administration to protect Cubans with I-220A, as well as Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, and Haitians with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). "These Cubans have come seeking freedom and should not be sent back to the dictatorship that oppresses them," he stated at that time.
Frequently Asked Questions about María Elvira Salazar's Position on Migration in the U.S.
What does María Elvira Salazar propose to solve the immigration problem in the U.S.?
Maria Elvira Salazar proposes the "Dignity Law", a bipartisan initiative aimed at providing a pathway to legalization for immigrants without a criminal record who have lived and worked in the U.S. for at least five years. This proposal serves as an alternative to extreme solutions such as amnesty or mass deportations.
Why does María Elvira Salazar defend migrant workers in the U.S.?
Salazar defends migrant workers because she considers them essential to the U.S. economy. According to her, these invisible workers support critical sectors such as construction, agriculture, and hospitality, and their mass deportation would be disastrous for the country's economy.
What impact could the mass deportation of immigrants have on the U.S. economy according to Salazar?
María Elvira Salazar asserts that a mass deportation of immigrants would be disastrous for the U.S. economy. She claims that key economic sectors are already experiencing labor shortages due to recent raids and deportations, which could lead to economic collapse.
How has María Elvira Salazar reacted to the criticism within her party regarding her stance on immigration?
Salazar has faced criticism from conservative sectors within his party, but he defends his stance by arguing that immigrants are essential to the country's economy. Despite the criticism, he continues to promote his "Dignity Law" proposal as a viable and necessary solution.
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