Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia, who helped launch the conservative group Latinas for Trump in 2016 and previously served as Deputy Press Secretary in Trump’s first-term Department of Homeland Security, criticized the current immigration enforcement policies in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Garcia expressed her loyalty to former President Trump, stating that she has “always supported Trump, through thick and thin.” However, she deemed the recent federal immigration operations—especially those targeting individuals at immigration courts—as “unacceptable and inhumane.” She raised concerns that these measures undermine long-standing American values of justice and fair treatment.
I stand with Congresswoman Salazar. As the state senator who represents her district and the daughter of Cuban refugees, who are now just as American, if not more so than Stephen Miller, I am deeply disappointed by these actions.
— Ileana Garcia (@IleanaGarciaUSA) June 7, 2025
And I will not stand down.
I want to put myself… https://t.co/fk26Pvq5Vs
Garcia questioned the motives behind these aggressive tactics, warning that they seem to be part of a politically driven mass deportation strategy orchestrated by hardliners like former senior advisor Stephen Miller. She emphasized that the targeted individuals include those complying with legal proceedings and others who have credible fear claims, many of whom are seeking asylum, and yet they face sudden arrests.
Garcia was not alone in her concerns. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), who represents the same congressional district, echoed Garcia’s sentiments. Salazar highlighted the erosion of due process, stressing the legal necessity of allowing asylum seekers to complete their proceedings before any deportation actions are taken.
Drawing on her personal history as the daughter of Cuban refugees, Garcia expressed profound disappointment in what she perceives as Trump’s abandonment of Latino support in favor of harsh enforcement measures. She lamented remarks from the earlier Trump campaign that she found dismissive of Latino grassroots supporters, calling them “quite disappointing.”
Why This Matters
- Big Shift in Tone: Garcia’s criticism is notable given her history as a prominent Latino supporter of Trump.
- Controversy Over Tactics: Critics argue that these aggressive tactics—such as raids at immigration hearings and arrests of asylum seekers—violate principles of due process.
- Potential Political Fallout: Hardline immigration enforcement could alienate segments of the Latino community that were once central to Trump’s support.
Bottom Line:
Ileana Garcia’s public condemnation indicates a significant rift within Trump’s base. Her criticism of the current immigration raids underscores a growing discontent with the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.
