NEW: GOP Rep. Under Fire After Turning On MAGA, Calling To Import Low-Wage Migrants

While Republicans rally around stronger border enforcement under President Trump, one GOP lawmaker is drawing heat for veering sharply in the opposite direction.

During a Tuesday hearing with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) called for more low-wage foreign labor—openly stating that the U.S. economy needs migrant workers to grow. Her comments, which many conservatives see as a betrayal of the MAGA movement, sparked fierce backlash online.

Rather than pressing Powell on inflation or interest rates, Salazar used her time to lobby for migrant labor—especially in construction, hospitality, and agriculture.

“We do know that… we’re losing thousands and thousands of workers, what the ICE leadership has called collateral damage,” Salazar said, blaming deportations for worker shortages. “Most of those people are working in three main sectors—construction, hospitality, and agriculture… we’re talking about 15% of the economy.”

Even more pointed was her suggestion that without importing more labor, America’s growth would stall. “We want to continue growing. We’re the number one economy in the world… if we don’t have those hands, then we don’t grow.”

Fed Chair Powell didn’t exactly endorse her argument—but he acknowledged the trend. “It’s really reduced the amount of growth in the labor force,” Powell said, referring to immigration restrictions. “At the same time, demand for workers has been coming down as well… they’ve been coming down at about the same time.”

Powell reiterated that the Fed doesn’t set immigration policy, but he confirmed that labor force growth is one of two key drivers of economic expansion. “When you significantly slow the growth of the labor force,” he said, “you will slow the growth of the economy.”

WATCH:

Salazar then pivoted to what she called a looming crisis—declining birth rates. “Americans are not having enough kids,” she said. “That means we need other people, right?”

Powell responded that “the answer appears to be probably not” when asked if the domestic population can meet labor demands through 2035. While he floated the potential for AI to improve productivity, he cautioned not to “count on it,” saying, “those gains are coming… but they may take longer or be less in the beginning than expected.”

The Florida congresswoman concluded by asking if the U.S. can remain the world’s top economy under current immigration law. Powell answered carefully: “You could have the highest per capita earnings… but if you’re talking about the aggregate output, then population growth may be a concern.”

Salazar’s record has drawn criticism before—she was one of a few House Republicans who backed a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients. Her latest comments, however, appear to have struck a nerve.

With Trump’s administration continuing mass deportations of illegal aliens—including those working in key industries—Salazar’s dissent sets her apart. But with rising wages and a cooling job market, Powell made clear the Fed isn’t panicking.

For now, the central bank sees a labor market that’s shrinking—but matching that shrinkage with reduced demand. “We can report on what happens,” Powell said. “But it’s really not our job” to influence immigration laws.