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Republican congressman Byron Donalds, a candidate for governor of Florida and backed by President Donald Trump, rejected any pathway to amnesty for undocumented immigrants and defended current deportation policies during an interview with Ilia Calderón for the program "Esta Semana," from the N+ Univisión channel.
Donalds was consulted about the Dignity Act, a bill promoted by Republican Congress members María Elvira Salazar and Mario Díaz-Balart that outlines a pathway to legalization for immigrants who have been living and working in the United States for years.
"Because I do not support amnesty. I have never supported amnesty. When you open the door to amnesty, what ends up happening is that you actually invite more illegal immigration to your country," he responded.
The legislator stated that any immigration reform should occur only after strengthening border security and making progress in the deportations of immigrants who are illegally in the country.
"My plan is very clear. First, the borders must be secured. President Trump has done that. Second, you have to deport criminal illegal immigrants. President Trump is doing that right now," he affirmed.
According to Donalds, once those goals are achieved, the United States could address changes in the work visa system and other legal immigration mechanisms.
During the interview, he was also asked about the shortage of workers facing sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and the hospitality industry, activities that traditionally rely on immigrant labor.
The congressman attributed that situation to the immigration policies of the Joe Biden administration, which he accused of allowing the massive influx of immigrants and misusing the asylum system.
The statements are particularly relevant for the Cuban community, one of the largest migratory groups in Florida. When asked about Cubans leaving the island and entering the United States through the southern border, Donalds emphasized that the country must uphold strict standards for immigration.
However, he reiterated his support for political change in Cuba.
"When it comes to Cuba, yes, the Cuban regime must fall because it is time for freedom and peace to prevail in Cuba," he stated.
The legislator also described the Cuban government as a dictatorship that, in his words, does not respect fundamental freedoms or individual rights.
"They do not respect women, they do not respect freedom of expression, they do not respect property rights, nor Western civilization," she stated in reference to the Cuban regime and other authoritarian governments.
Donalds also defended his vote in favor of the $70 billion legislative package aimed at funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol, arguing that border security must remain a priority for the federal government.
The 47-year-old congressman recently formalized his candidacy for the governorship of Florida and has the public backing of Trump. While he expressed that he would also like to receive support from Governor Ron DeSantis, he emphasized that he will continue to promote the conservative policies that have defined the Republican administration in the state.
"I would love to have the support of Governor DeSantis. He has been excellent for our state. Obviously, I have the full backing of President Trump. I am very grateful for that," he concluded.
Born in Brooklyn and residing in Florida since the age of 17, if he wins the elections in November 2026, he would be the first black Republican governor in the history of Florida and of the Republican Party nationally.
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