In a move that has sparked outrage among conservatives, Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar—a Republican in name only—openly advocated for expanding the illegal immigrant labor force during a congressional hearing with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Her tone-deaf pitch? America’s economy *depends* on illegal aliens, and President Trump’s crackdown is, in her view, hurting the country.
Yes, you read that right. While President Trump is fighting to secure the border, enforce immigration laws, and prioritize American workers, Rep. Salazar is essentially waving the white flag—arguing that our economy can’t function without an underclass of illegal labor.
During the hearing, Salazar expressed concern over what she called the “collateral damage” of ICE enforcing immigration laws. “We’re losing thousands and thousands of workers,” she claimed, before pointing to construction, hospitality, and agriculture—sectors where illegal labor is rampant—as the supposed backbone of the U.S. economy. “We’re talking about 15% of the economy,” she insisted.
Her comments were so out-of-step with conservative values that even Chair Powell appeared uncomfortable. He quickly distanced the Fed from the discussion, saying, “Immigration is another area where nobody put us in charge. We, we’re done.” Powell rightly noted that while the Fed works to support employment, it doesn’t craft immigration policy. That, of course, is Congress’s job.
But Salazar wasn’t finished. Doubling down, she declared, “If we don’t have those hands, then we don’t grow.” To her, the solution to economic growth isn’t empowering American workers or restoring vocational education—it’s keeping the border wide open and relying on illegal labor.
Let’s be clear: Salazar isn’t advocating for a streamlined legal immigration process or work visa reform. She’s defending the current broken system, one that incentivizes illegal entry, depresses wages, and exploits vulnerable migrants—all while undercutting American citizens struggling to make ends meet.
Conservatives quickly torched Salazar online. One X user hit the nail on the head: “All you care about is your donors having cheap labor… if you worked a little harder they could have affordable labor and people wouldn’t be living in the margins of society.” Another simply said what many were thinking: “So you, too, prefer to support ILLEGAL ALIENS over Americans? Ok then. Good to know.”
Rep. Salazar’s comments are a slap in the face to every American who believes in the rule of law, fair wages, and national sovereignty. While President Trump has been clear: *secure the border, protect American jobs,* Salazar appears more interested in appeasing the Chamber of Commerce than defending the working class.
This isn’t just a policy disagreement—it’s a philosophical divide. Salazar’s comments expose a troubling truth: not every “Republican” is committed to the America First agenda. Voters should take note.
In the end, America doesn’t need illegal labor to grow. It needs lawmakers with backbone—ones who put citizens first, enforce the law, and refuse to sell out the nation’s future for cheap talking points and cheaper labor.
