Support for Colombians by Rep. Elvisa Salazar
Amnesty advocate Representative Elvisa Salazar shared her commitment late Monday to assist foreign nationals in Colombia, a country located far off in South America.
“I am immensely proud to receive the backing of my friend, President Abelardo de la Espriella,” Salazar expressed in a post on X:
I recognize his deep love for Colombia. I admire his convictions and the relentless effort he puts into restoring security, prosperity, and opportunities for his nation. Representing numerous Colombians in South Florida makes Colombia a cause I carry with me each day to Congress. I have stood by Colombia during challenging times. I have defended its democratic values and its ties with the United States when it truly mattered. Now, a new chapter unfolds. Abelardo can count on me as a friend, Colombia as an ally, and Colombians as a devoted voice in the U.S. Congress.
Salazar’s promise of support received a varied response from the Colombian community.
Colombia’s capital is about 1,500 miles from her constituents in Coral Gables, Florida.
President Donald Trump has previously shown support for Salazar, largely because the GOP needs to secure a majority in the House, even if some newly won seats are held by pro-migration advocates. Salazar is poised for a primary in Spring 2028.
In 2021, an estimated 855,000 Colombian migrants resided in the United States. Most of them arrived through “family reunification” legal pathways facilitated by earlier Colombian migrants. During President Joe Biden’s administration, an additional 400,000 Colombians entered the U.S.
Salazar’s district is home to many Latino migrants. Her Democratic rival, Eliott Rodriguez, who supports amnesty, suggested that the race was highly competitive as of mid-September.
Salazar is well-known for advocating the “Dignidad” bill designed to legalize a surge of inexpensive migrant labor for various sectors across the United States.
“People have accused me of trying to support big businesses in acquiring cheap labor,” Salazar remarked at a Capitol Hill press conference. “To that, I say: It’s not just big businesses. It includes agriculture, construction, hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing — it encompasses more,” she continued.
This bill aims to offer a gradual amnesty to at least 10 million undocumented migrants, which could include around 1 million Colombians. While her amnesty proposal would benefit businesses, it risks sidelining over 250 million average Americans.
In September, President Trump amplified critical social media commentary aimed at Salazar, likely to dissuade other Republican members from supporting her cheap labor and amnesty bill in the House. This initiative intends to utilize a discharge petition that could potentially enforce a vote and passage of the bill during the lame-duck session post the November election.
Numerous U.S. legislators appear to prioritize migrant interests over those of Americans.
Salazar’s short-lived commitment to Colombians elicited a mixed reaction within the Colombian community:
