NEW: GOP Rep. Raked Over The Coals For Pushing Amnesty For Illegals

Federal immigration authorities are swimming in money. Illegal border crossings are at a record low. Public opinion largely supports the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda.

It’s curious, then, why a Republican congresswoman suddenly offered astounding concessions, including introducing new legislation that would grant amnesty to million of illegal immigrants still in the U.S.

In a Spanish language social media post, Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) referred to the “Dignity Act” as a bill offering “no amnesty” and “no excuses.” Critics immediately pounced, accusing Salazar of falsely portraying the legislation as part of Trump’s deportation priorities.

“We are the noblest nation on the face of the Earth. It is time for our immigration system to measure up,” she wrote. “A real solution to fix, once and for all, our immigration system, with order, justice, and dignity.”

Two years ago, Rep. Salazar introduced the bill, which couples protected status for Dreamers and some Temporary Protected Status holders with a more stringent E-Verify system, monitoring for criminal activity, and protection measures at ports of entry. It would offer illegal immigrants who have been in the U.S. for more than five years the chance to pay restitution and comply with the program for seven years before they are given permanent legal status, according to an announcement by Salazar’s office.

The bill drew bipartisan support in its last inception, including from Veronica Escobar (D-TX) as a co-author and Democratic Reps. Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Lori Chavez-Kathy Manning (D-NC), and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) as co-sponsors.

Other Republicans who sponsored the bill included Reps. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR) and Mike Lawler (R-NY).

“This bill gives dignity to the border agents who need support, the job creators who need employees, the American people who need secure borders, and those who currently live in the shadows,” Salazar said at the time.

But to critics of amnesty, Salazar’s solution flies in the face of what is working for President Trump, which is mass deportation of all illegal immigrants still in the country.

“Why is a Republican Congresswoman putting forward an amnesty bill in Spanish?” one conservative influencer asked on X.

The backlash ranged from readers angry about Salazar’s decision to post her announcement in Spanish to her perceived betrayal of Trump’s deportation agenda, especially after voting for the Big, Beautiful Bill and its historic $170 billion in funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Others simply tagged ICE to get the agency’s attention.

It’s unclear if the Florida Republican will face repercussions for her legislation or be forced to withdraw it. With much of the House’s agenda tied up in this month’s passage of the Big, Beautiful Bill, lawmakers are set to return to their districts for the August recess. There, they will face constituents both angry and elated about the bill’s many components, including the hiring of thousands of immigration authorities.

In the meantime, Salazar may have to be content with seeing her bill sent to committee, where it will likely die. For now, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) appears content to let President Trump drive the party’s immigration agenda.