Can a Lawmaker Be Fully MAGA and Still Push for Immigration Reform?

Newsweek

4 days ago

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For decades, immigration has been among the thorniest issues in American legislative politics, often falling victim to gridlock and partisan fighting. But Representative Maria Elvira Salazar says the moment to fix the system has finally arrived — and she believes Republicans now have a historic opportunity to lead a new charge on bipartisan immigration reform that American voters have been demanding for decades.
"The GOP has a historic opportunity to fix the immigration system after 40 years of it being broken," Salazar, a Cuban-American Republican from Florida, told Newsweek in an exclusive interview.
The Dignity Act of 2025, which Salazar introduced alongside Texas Democrat Veronica Escobar, comes as Hispanic voters express growing frustration with the GOP and with President Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement, fueled by anger over mass deportations and workplace raids.
A CBS News/YouGov poll this month found Hispanic support for Trump had fallen from nearly 50 percent to about one-third, with 63 percent saying his immigration policies are "too tough" and 64 percent believing Hispanics are unfairly singled out in enforcement efforts.
Against that backdrop, Salazar told Newsweek the bill offers a middle ground — aiming to replace fear in immigrant communities with stability while preserving Republicans' long-standing credibility on enforcement.
"Since I come from the Hispanic community, and my district understands very well what this topic is about, I found something that is right in the middle, that can satisfy both sides of the aisle — and that's called dignity."
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol April 10, 2024.
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol April 10, 2024.
Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images
No More 'Catch and Release'
For years, Republicans have decried what they saw as loopholes in and abuses of the asylum system, as well as inconsistent enforcement. Salazar argued that addressing those issues head-on is essential to fixing the broader immigration picture.
"The legal immigration system needs to address 'catch and release' and the asylum system, which has been gamed for decades because there are no other routes to come to this country," she told Newsweek. "If we fix that — stop catch and release, stop gaming the asylum system, and give dignity to those already here, who work and have no criminal record — then we can fix all sides at the same time."
The bill's provisions are also crafted with the economy in mind. Agriculture, hospitality, and construction — three sectors heavily reliant on immigrant labor — have reported labor shortages and disruptions as immigration enforcement escalates. Salazar said those industries cannot function without undocumented workers who have been living in the United States for years.
The badge of a Customs and Border Protection agent is seen as they patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on June 18, 2025 in New York City.
The badge of a Customs and Border Protection agent is seen as they patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on June 18, 2025 in New York City.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
"What's possible right now is letting these people go home at night without fear, not being deported, and continuing to contribute to the economy," she said.
The Dignity Act offers a compromise: enhanced border security and mandatory E-Verify paired with a seven-year renewable legal status — but not citizenship — for undocumented immigrants who arrived before 2021, provided they pay restitution and comply with DHS monitoring.
However, critics of the bill, particularly immigrant advocacy groups and some Democrats, have argued that by denying citizenship, it effectively consigns millions of people to permanent second-class status. Salazar rejected that characterization.
"If you talk to millions of those facing deportation after years here, they would say: 'Of course, give me a solution.'"
The bill also overhauls the byzantine asylum process, strengthens ports of entry and provides protections for Dreamers while explicitly excluding federal benefits for participants.
Hard to Convince
But inside her own party, Salazar faces strong resistance. Hardliners like Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff and architect of some of the administration's toughest immigration policies, continue to advocate for mass deportations and minimal concessions.
Salazar acknowledged that some Republicans view any legal status for those already in the country illegally as unacceptable, but she said the political and economic costs of inaction are growing.
"Everything in life is timing," she told Newsweek. "Now that the southern border has been secured and the disaster of the last administration has been stopped — now is the time to look inward and fix other problems within immigration."
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller speaks to press outside of the White House on April 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. He has suggested that Americans are owed reparations for the impacts of...
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller speaks to press outside of the White House on April 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. He has suggested that Americans are owed reparations for the impacts of mass migration. MoreYet, as in previous attempts at reform, critics have likened the plan to Ronald Reagan's 1986 immigration law, which granted amnesty to millions. Salazar said her bill does not amount to amnesty by another name.
"Opposition is welcomed — this is democracy. We're not in a dictatorship. But at the end of the day, Republicans need to find a solution to a problem that's been here for 40 years," she said.
"The reality is that these workers are needed, industries must function, and Americans need food, construction, and hospitality to continue as they are now."
At the center of her pitch is an appeal to the president himself. Despite his administration's deportations and aggressive rhetoric on immigrants, Salazar believes that Trump would be open to back her plan.
"The president is an intelligent man. He's a construction guy with golf courses. He will sign 'Dignity' and be for immigration what Lincoln was for slavery and Reagan was for communism."
The president has not commented on the Dignity Act, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was noncommittal when asked if Trump would veto it.
"From my understanding, the White House nor the president has actually read through this legislation," Leavitt said, adding that Trump was busy with the flurry of legislation moving through Congress before the summer recess, such as the GENIUS Act and the rescissions package.
"But the president has made it very clear he will not support amnesty for illegal aliens in any way," she added.
Full Interview with Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar
Q: Why are you leading on this bill? What personally or politically motivated you to champion the Dignity Act?
Because it's the right thing to do for the economy of this country. The GOP has a historic opportunity to fix the immigration system after 40 years of it being broken. Since I come from the Hispanic community, and my district understands very well what this topic is about, I found something that is right in the middle, that can satisfy both sides of the aisle — and that's called dignity.
Q: What do you think needs fixing right now in the legal immigration system beyond addressing undocumented immigrants? What do you see as the biggest problems that need reform?
The legal immigration system needs to address "catch and release" and the asylum system, which has been gamed for decades because there are no other routes to come to this country. If we fix that — stop catch and release, stop gaming the asylum system, and give dignity to those already here, who work and have no criminal record — then we can fix all sides at the same time. And we've also allocated funds to secure the border permanently. If resources are placed correctly, we won't have mass illegal immigration anymore.
Q: Why is bipartisan support necessary on immigration? What lessons have you learned from past failed efforts?
Every important law — especially something so socially ingrained as immigration — needs Democrats on board. I believe the Democratic Party understands it's time to fix the problem. That's why we have a very important co-sponsor, Veronica Escobar, who joined us on the Dignity Act. It's a significant bipartisan legislative push.
Q: How do you convince your fellow Republicans to back this? Immigration is a big topic on President Trump's agenda, and past immigration bills haven't moved forward. What's your strategy?
Everything in life is timing. Now that the southern border has been secured and the disaster of the last administration has been stopped — now is the time to look inward and fix other problems within immigration. Border security and immigration are two different issues. Since the border has been sealed and illegal crossings are at record lows, now we can focus on immigration.
Q: Why focus on worker protections rather than broader reform? Your bill highlights economic stability and protecting industries like agriculture. Why take this narrower focus instead of pushing for comprehensive reform
Because it's the art of the possible. America's business is business. We want to create economic security and not disrupt the food chain, construction, or hospitality — industries that touch the lives of millions of Americans. If we were to deport or disrupt those three industries, the average American would feel it. The economy needs these workers who are already here. We might as well bring them out of the shadows, give them dignity, have them pay a fine and 1% of their salary every year. Everyone benefits.
Q: There's also a significant opposition within the Republican Party and American society to these kinds of policies. What kind of opposition have you faced, and how do you convince people this isn't like the amnesty under Ronald Reagan in 1986?
Opposition is welcomed — this is democracy. We're not in a dictatorship. But at the end of the day, Republicans need to find a solution to a problem that's been here for 40 years. It's our job as legislators. Opposition may exist, but the reality is that these workers are needed, industries must function, and Americans need food, construction, and hospitality to continue as they are now.
Q: Some critics say the Dignity Act creates a permanent underclass — a group of workers without full rights of citizenship. How do you respond to those concerns?
It's the art of the possible. What's possible right now is letting these people go home at night without fear, not being deported, and continuing to contribute to the economy. If you talk to millions of those facing deportation after years here, they would say: "Of course, give me dignity."
Q: Recent polls show Hispanic support for President Trump has declined somewhat due to immigration procedures in the past months. From your perspective, what do you think about those efforts, and what could the administration do better?
Sign the Dignity Act. The president is an intelligent man. He's a construction guy with golf courses. He will sign Dignity and be for immigration what Lincoln was for slavery and Reagan was for communism.
Q: And if this fails, what's next for you? Will you keep pushing?
I'm not going to fail. Just watch.