Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar candidly discussed immigration, Venezuela, Cuba, and even her personal life during an extensive interview with Venezuelan comedian George Harris; a conversation that comes at one of the most delicate political moments for the Republican lawmaker due to her recent public disagreements with President Donald Trump.
Salazar, who is running for reelection in Florida's District 27, is at the center of a controversy after openly questioning certain aspects of the Trump administration's immigration policy, a position that is particularly sensitive in a majority-Hispanic district.
On September 17, the congresswoman published a video recorded in front of the White House in which she stated that some immigration measures had gone "too far" and warned Trump that many Hispanics who supported him in 2024 felt "betrayed."
Trump publicly responded by expressing his disagreement and questioning Salazar's position on the border, although he maintained his support for the congresswoman. Days later, she revealed that they had spoken directly and described the conversation as "fantastic."
In the midst of that scenario, George Harris made an exception to his usual distance from politics and welcomed Salazar onto his YouTube program, Palabras Ciertas.
“You all know that I am not involved in politics, you all know that I don’t talk about this topic or interview political figures,” Harris acknowledged while presenting the program.
The comedian explained that he decided to make an exception due to the support that, in his opinion, Salazar has provided to Venezuelan immigrants in the United States and for his positions regarding the future of Venezuela.
Harris made it clear from the start that she intended to prevent the conversation from getting solely caught up in political polarization.
“We have a lot of frustration today, a lot of anger and confusion,” the comedian pointed out, dedicating the show to his Venezuelan and Cuban followers and advocating for the need to “seek solutions and build bridges.”
Content creator Jorge Miyar (known as El Gussi) reacted strongly to Salazar's appearance with Harris and questioned the consistency between his current criticisms of immigration operations and some of his previous positions in Congress.
Miyar also criticized Harris himself for offering him this platform.
Salazar is thus positioned between Republican sectors that consider her criticisms of Trump's immigration policy to be excessive and opponents who question the consistency of her own record on immigration.
Salazar reiterates his stance on immigration
The most delicate matter of the conversation was precisely the one that has put Salazar in an uncomfortable position with the White House: immigration.
The congresswoman reiterated her defense of the Dignity Law, a legislative proposal that she is promoting alongside Democrat Verónica Escobar, which outlines a path for certain immigrants to remain, work, and travel legally in the U.S. without automatically receiving citizenship.
Salazar specifically mentioned people with TPS, asylum applications, I-220A forms, and work permits among the groups his proposal aims to reach.
He also insisted on his concerns regarding the way certain migration actions are being carried out and asserted that there have been "excesses" in the enforcement of the laws.
According to Salazar, Trump “has not been properly informed about the magnitude of the situation” and some of his advisors are not showing him “the complete picture” regarding the consequences of the operations.
The congresswoman stated that her office receives families affected by immigration detentions and issued another warning to the White House: “This cannot continue happening.”
His argument coincides with the one he had publicly presented days earlier.
In an interview with Face the Nation on CBS, Salazar stated that some of Trump's advisors were undermining his legacy, although she avoided directly naming specific officials when questioned about it.
A relationship with Trump under pressure
The immigration criticisms have sparked an unusual episode between Salazar and Trump just weeks ahead of the midterm elections.
After the congresswoman's video, the president publicly rejected her arguments and stated that she held a softer position than his on the border.
Salazar, however, has avoided presenting his criticisms as a break with Trump. On the contrary, he argues that the president can promote immigration reform and has insisted that his goal is to warn him about the political and human consequences that, in his view, certain actions of his administration are having.
The congresswoman herself stated on CBS that she spoke directly with Trump after the controversy and found the president to be "very receptive," although she acknowledged that she could not guarantee he had accepted her proposals.
The dispute also has an electoral dimension. Salazar is seeking a new term in Florida's District 27 against Cuban-American Democrat Eliott Rodríguez, in a constituency where approximately three-quarters of the population is Hispanic.
From television to Congress
But Harris did not want to limit the interview to that complicated political scenario.
The comedian recalled Salazar's time as a journalist and television presenter, when he met her through María Elvira Live, and wanted to know how that communicator, known for her interviews, made the leap into politics.
Salazar reported that a prominent member of the Republican Party suggested he run for the seat that Ileana Ros-Lehtinen had vacated.
"The hand of God, I would say", he replied while recalling that moment.
She also spoke about the influence of her grandmother Elvira, from whom she claimed to have inherited, among other things, “her love for politics and freedom and Cuba”.
Venezuela and María Corina Machado
Venezuela occupied another important segment of the conversation. Salazar reiterated his support for María Corina Machado and revealed that he had spoken with her a few days before the interview.
“Life is long and María Corina will reach Miraflores”, he/she stated.
In response to Harris's questions about Machado's situation, Salazar defended that the Venezuelan leader will continue to be part of the country's political future.
“Corina is part of you, part of that picture. She cannot be erased,” he stated.
The legislator also spoke about the Venezuelan political process and expressed her hope that it leads to free elections, although she noted that a phase of economic and political stabilization must occur beforehand.
Trump's promise about Cuba
Cuba also came up in the conversation and once again linked the interview to Trump.
Asked by Harris about when a change for Cubans might occur, Salazar replied: “The president promised it, and we are waiting for that promise to be fulfilled.”
The congresswoman also drew a parallel between the situations of Nicolás Maduro and Raúl Castro, a matter on which she made some of the most powerful statements of the interview.
A more personal María Elvira
Harris ultimately sought to distance herself from the tensions of Washington and reveal the person behind the political figure.
Salazar mentioned that he leaves the day-to-day management of his social media primarily in the hands of his team, who meditate, enjoy music, and have a dog named Toby.
The conversation even revealed a confession about his romantic life.
"I got divorced, but now I want to get married again", Salazar shared, who acknowledged that she is dating different men in the hope of finding a partner again.
The interview thus allowed for a glimpse into a less common facet of the congresswoman just as she is navigating a particularly complex stage of her political career: defending her affiliation with the Republican Party and her relationship with Trump, while questioning a central part of the White House's immigration policy and striving to maintain her seat in a predominantly Hispanic district.
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