Miami's Republican congresswoman, Maria Elvira Salazar, has fiercely criticized former President Donald Trump's recent decision to temporarily halt all immigration applications from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and 16 other nations deemed "high-risk."
In an interview with the Miami Herald, Salazar described the policy as "un-American" and condemned it as a "collective punishment" against thousands of immigrants who have abided by the laws and procedures.
"Freezing asylum, permanent residency, and citizenship processes is not the answer. It punishes hardworking, law-abiding immigrants who have followed every step of the legal process," Salazar stated.
She further argued, "This is unjust, un-American, and contradicts all the principles this country stands for. Background checks are already in place to stop terrorists and should remain so."
Republican Divisions in Miami
Salazar, one of the few Cuban-American congresswomen, openly distanced herself from her party's hardline stance, emphasizing that "thousands of immigrants in South Florida have patiently waited their turn," and that the broad suspension fails to differentiate between law-abiding individuals and those who have committed crimes.
"The innocent should not pay for the sins of the guilty," she expressed.
The new directive from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), issued last week following a shooting in Washington D.C. by an Afghan citizen, enacts a sweeping pause on immigration applications.
Widespread Impact on South Florida
The measure affects everything from permanent residency petitions to citizenship ceremonies, including a full suspension of pending asylum processes, irrespective of the country of origin.
The policy represents one of the broadest immigration restrictions enacted by the Trump administration since its return to power.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) order aims, according to DHS officials, to "enhance national security and prevent the entry of potential threats," but has sparked concern and confusion among immigration lawyers and communities in South Florida.
While Salazar took a critical stance, her Republican colleagues Mario Díaz-Balart and Carlos Giménez issued a joint statement supporting Trump’s immigration policy, arguing it addresses issues inherited from President Joe Biden’s previous administration.
"For four years, our urgent warnings about the consequences of grotesquely irresponsible open border policies and the lack of background checks under the Biden Administration were ignored," both congressmen stated. "Today, we unfortunately face the consequences," they added.
The Political and Moral Debate
Díaz-Balart and Giménez contended that Trump’s efforts aim to "protect national security by restoring order, enforcing the rule of law, and strengthening background checks."
This contrast highlights the internal tensions within Miami's Republican bloc, where immigration—especially from Cuba and Venezuela—is a topic of significant political and human sensitivity.
The DHS decision has caused significant concern among immigrant communities and immigration attorneys, who warn that the pause exacerbates an already backlogged system.
Many immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela have found themselves in uncertainty since Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole, established under the Biden administration, were revoked earlier this year.
Over a million people from these countries have lost their legal protections and are now in limbo, following the suspension of asylum interviews, green card approvals, and scheduled naturalization ceremonies.
In South Florida, many Cubans expecting to take their oath as U.S. citizens this week received notifications canceling their ceremonies, adding to the general uncertainty.
The clash between Maria Elvira Salazar and the rest of Miami's Republican bloc underscores the party's internal divisions over how to handle immigration amid high political and economic tension.
For Salazar, the immigration pause betrays the core values of the United States, a nation built by immigrants.
"Punishing those who did everything right does not make us safer; it only makes us less just," she reiterated, advocating for a firm yet compassionate immigration policy.
The debate, however, continues to grow in Florida, where the Cuban, Haitian, and Venezuelan communities are directly affected by Washington's decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Immigration Pause
Why did Maria Elvira Salazar oppose the immigration pause?
Maria Elvira Salazar opposed the immigration pause because she believes it unfairly punishes law-abiding immigrants who have followed legal processes, contradicting American principles of justice.
What are the implications of the DHS immigration pause?
The DHS immigration pause affects various processes like permanent residency petitions and asylum applications, leaving many immigrants in uncertainty and worsening an already backlogged system.
How did other Miami Republicans respond to the immigration pause?
Miami Republicans Mario Díaz-Balart and Carlos Giménez supported the immigration pause, claiming it addresses past administration shortcomings and strengthens national security.