Latino GOP lawmakers balance supporting Trump, advocating for 'law-abiding' immigrants
Florida Republicans sent letters to Trump officials over worries of deportations for some immigrants but not opposing the policies, “which in Washington is equivalent to a wink and a nod,” one strategist said.
Latino Republican lawmakers who approve of President Donald Trump are toeing a fine line between supporting his immigration crackdown and trying to convince their immigrant constituents that they won’t get caught up in the process.
The leadership of the GOP-sponsored Congressional Hispanic Conference advocated for Trump's election by focusing on his border security policies and the deportation of violent criminals.
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, selected as the conference's chairman this week, supports Trump’s immigration agenda, saying “we have to end the lawlessness.” Gonzales has also said he supports the mass deportation of "convicted criminal aliens," but not "your 'abuelita.'"
At some point, all of the CHC members in leadership positions have expressed similar stances to Gonzales.
Trump promised to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records and carry out “the largest deportation program in American history." To fulfill that, Trump officials have said no undocumented person is off limits.
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