Republicans Distance Themselves From Trump's Immigration Stance

WHO:

The Guardian - Republican congresswoman María Elvira Salazar

Alternet - President Donald Trump

Alternet - GOP Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa

Alternet - Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa)

Alternet - Democratic nominee Eliott Rodriguez

WHAT:

The Guardian - Salazar released a campaign ad criticizing Trump’s immigration policies.

The Guardian - In July, 50% of the 50,000 people detained had no criminal record, according to Salazar.

The Guardian - Salazar's ad states, “Mr President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far.”

Alternet - A New York Times/Siena poll revealed that 55% of registered voters disapproved of Trump’s immigration policies.

Alternet - Voters trusted Democrats more than Republicans on immigration by a 51% to 45% margin.

Alternet - Nunn and Miller-Meeks voted for a resolution directing the president to halt military action in Iran without congressional approval.

Alternet - Hinson expressed opposition to Trump's tariff policies on ground beef imports.

WHERE:

The Guardian - Salazar represents a competitive Miami-area district that is nearly three-quarters Hispanic.

Alternet - Nunn and Miller-Meeks are from Iowa, where their races are now rated as “toss ups.”

Alternet - Hinson is running for Senate in Iowa.

WHEN:

The Guardian - The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3.

Alternet - The ad was posted online on a Thursday.

Alternet - The poll for Rodriguez's campaign was conducted late last month.

WHY:

The Guardian - Salazar's ad reflects a growing concern among Republicans about Trump's immigration policies becoming a liability.

Alternet - Some Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump due to his extreme unpopularity across the nation.

HOW:

The Guardian - Salazar aired a direct-to-camera TV ad to communicate her criticism of Trump’s policies.

Alternet - Nunn and Miller-Meeks voted in favor of a resolution to limit military action without congressional approval.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 04:01 UTC)

Republican congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has released a campaign ad criticizing Trump’s immigration policies, highlighting that half of the 50,000 people detained in July had no criminal record. The ad comes as a New York Times/Siena poll shows that 55% of registered voters disapprove of Trump’s immigration approach, with voters trusting Democrats more than Republicans on the issue by a narrow margin. Meanwhile, GOP Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks from Iowa have voted for a resolution to limit military action without congressional approval, as the midterm elections approach on November 3.