Florida Republican María Elvira Salazar wants Trump not to do what he promised

In a move reflecting the complexities of immigration policy and its political ramifications, Representative María Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Florida, has appealed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to shield migrants who entered the United States under the previous administration’s “humanitarian parole” program from impending deportation.

The congresswoman asked DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman, who was the acting Secretary of Homeland Security until January 25, 2025, to continue “protecting” Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans and Nicaraguans who do not have criminal records and were permitted to enter and work in the U.S. under former President Biden’s “humanitarian parole” program.

The “humanitarian parole” program permitted individuals from countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to reside and work in the U.S. temporarily.

As President Donald Trump reaffirms his commitment to a robust immigration enforcement strategy, including the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history, concerns have emerged regarding the status of these migrants.

Salazar, who represents a district in South Florida with a significant Hispanic population, expressed apprehension that the deportation of these individuals could adversely affect communities that have recently shown increased support for the Republican Party.

“I strongly urge you to ensure that all Cubans paroled in under the CHNV program eligible for or with pending applications for the Cuban Adjustment Act are protected from deportation until their cases are fully resolved,” Salazar wrote in a Friday letter to Huffman.

“Additionally, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians who arrived under the CHNV program, have no criminal record, and have applied for asylum through the proper legal channels, should also be protected until their cases are fully resolved,” she added.

Polling data indicates that a substantial portion of Americans oppose deporting immigrants who are in the country legally, with 87% expressing disapproval.

In her communication to DHS, Salazar emphasized the importance of the Republican Party upholding its values by not penalizing migrants for the policies of the previous administration.

She specifically requested that individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who entered the U.S. under the humanitarian parole program be allowed to continue their asylum processes without the threat of deportation.

This development underscores the ongoing debate within the Republican Party regarding immigration policy and its potential impact on electoral outcomes. As the administration moves forward with its enforcement plans, the balance between strict immigration control and the interests of diverse communities remains a pivotal issue.