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MIAMI — Recently, a select group of women convened at an upscale brewery in Miami to hear U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart speak about the Republican strategy to maintain their narrow House majority in the upcoming elections.
During his hour-long address, Diaz-Balart refrained from addressing immigration directly.
As one of three House Republicans of Cuban descent from South Florida, Diaz-Balart and his colleagues are navigating sensitive discussions surrounding President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, particularly concerning its impact on Cubans and Venezuelans, who are significant constituents of the GOP’s voter base in the region.
Democrats are aiming to flip at least one of these House seats, focusing particularly on the district represented by U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar.
In a notable counter-campaign, Miami Democrats erected a billboard along a heavily traveled highway, branding the three Republican lawmakers and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also of Cuban heritage, as “traitors.”
Despite the Trump administration’s moves to rescind protections benefiting many Venezuelans and Cubans, Diaz-Balart, Salazar, and Rep. Carlos Gimenez have publicly supported the president’s initiatives, even as they face increasing scrutiny from constituents wary of such policies.
Last November marked a pivotal shift, as Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate to secure Miami-Dade County since 1988, an area with the nation’s highest concentration of immigrants. While Republicans interpret the change in Latino voting patterns as a signal favoring stricter immigration policies, Democrats warn that such stances might jeopardize the electoral viability of these lawmakers if they adversely affect their communities.
During the gathering, one of the few inquiries Diaz-Balart encountered focused on the temporary protections for Venezuelans, which the Trump administration is attempting to abolish. He defended the president’s decisions by asserting they were aligned with Trump’s stated intentions.
“We have many friends facing this dilemma, and they feel powerless,” expressed Milena Mitraud, an attorney who posed the question.
Here’s an overview of the three Miami Republican lawmakers:
At 63, Salazar has emerged as the most outspoken among the trio, advocating against the elimination of immigration protections favored by constituents, particularly those relating to Cubans and certain Venezuelans. Recently, a federal judge intervened to halt the Trump’s administration’s initiative to end temporary legal protections for many Venezuelans. Following this ruling, Salazar credited Trump—not the judge—for “doing the right thing.”
Salazar has criticized President Joe Biden for implementing a system that disallowed Cubans from applying for legal residency within a year of their arrival under the Cuban Adjustment Act. She claims to have urged the Biden administration to refrain from the arrest of Cubans eligible for legal status, highlighting her intervention to secure the release of a nursing student.
Articulating her stance in a recent video shared on X, she emphasized her commitment to promoting immigration reforms, which diverge from the national Republican consensus. “We are the only ones in Congress helping you,” she asserted. “We’re fighting to amend the flawed process handed down by the Biden administration, allowing parolees to benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Act.”
In an appearance from a recent Univision interview, she remarked that she might be “the only Republican” advocating for immigration reform. Salazar’s comments reflected a broader hope for progress, drawing parallels between Trump’s potential approach to immigration and the historic efforts of Republican President Ronald Reagan regarding the Soviet Union.
“Times are evolving,” she expressed. “Trump has stated that those illegal immigrants who engage in crime should be removed, which I support. However, we must extend dignity to individuals who have been contributing to our communities for years.”
In a responsive opinion piece published in the Miami Herald, Salazar defended her immigration record against allegations of negligence from a Cuban American business figure. This individual accused her and her colleagues—Diaz-Balart, Gimenez, and Rubio—of “cowardice” in facing Trump’s immigration strategies.
“I refuse to be included in any narrative of inaction. I’ve actively engaged in Congress, willing to face political risks and lead initiatives,” she stated.
At 63, Diaz-Balart joined forces with Salazar and Gimenez in announcing a unified statement after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem decided to withdraw deportation protections for Venezuelan nationals. In their joint communication, they expressed solidarity with Venezuelans facing potential persecution upon deportation.
“The Venezuelan people have suffered long enough under repression and human rights violations, making it unsafe for many to return,” the statement articulated.
Yet, as the senior member of Florida’s congressional delegation, Diaz-Balart has largely defended Trump’s policies, placing blame on Biden for the increased influx of immigrants and insinuating that many recent arrivals harbor criminal backgrounds—an assertion contested by evidence indicating that immigrants are generally less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens, despite isolated incidents stirring controversy during the election.
Addressing the gathering of Republican women, Diaz-Balart outlined ongoing efforts with the administration to establish a procedure for evaluating individuals from nations with a higher likelihood of having legitimate asylum claims. He stated that they are advocating for those already present and deemed non-threatening to remain in the U.S. while maintaining a critical stance on illegal arrivals.
At 71, Gimenez, once the mayor of Miami-Dade County, also voiced support for Trump’s stringent immigration enforcement while expressing empathy for Venezuelans eligible for legal protections.
Gimenez has additionally suggested measures including restricting remittances and suspending travel between the U.S. and Cuba, affecting many recent arrivals with family ties back home.
In correspondence with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Gimenez articulated the necessity for these restrictions to reduce revenue streams for the Cuban government.
“The oppressive regime in Cuba is struggling to sustain itself,” his letter asserted. “America must solidify its stance alongside the Cuban populace in their quest for liberation.”
Gimenez’s office later stated that the congressman favors an individual assessment process for exiles seeking political asylum, a situation exacerbated by current immigration policies under Biden’s administration.
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