A Latino man living in Florida, who supported Donald Trump and voted for him, is now facing deportation — something he didn’t expect. He believed Trump’s immigration policies were only going to target people with criminal records. Now, he’s been detained by ICE and is waiting to find out what happens next.
This man is one of many immigrants who backed Trump, thinking his tough stance on immigration wouldn’t affect people like them. But in reality, Trump’s administration has made it clear that anyone without legal immigration status could be deported, not just those with criminal backgrounds.
Trump had strong support from Latino voters in Florida, especially Cuban and Venezuelan communities. In fact, he won nearly 70% of the Cuban-American vote in the 2024 election. But now, some of those same voters are seeing loved ones arrested and deported — even if they have no criminal history. Many are feeling betrayed and confused by the reality of what’s happening.
One man, who was previously deported in 2019 but returned in 2022, was taken into custody six weeks ago after going to an immigration hearing. He’s now being held in a detention center in Texas. His wife, who came to the U.S. from Cuba on humanitarian parole in 2023, is left caring for their young children and his elderly grandmother.
In response, some leaders are speaking out. Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Florida, admitted that many longtime workers are being removed and it’s affecting industries like farming, hospitality, and construction. She and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar plan to introduce a bipartisan bill aimed at fixing the immigration system.
Even some Trump supporters are starting to push back. Ileana Garcia, co-founder of a pro-Trump Latina group, called the recent immigration arrests “unacceptable” and said this isn’t what they voted for.
The ongoing deportations are expected to have a lasting impact on families, businesses, and entire communities. What many immigrants are now realizing is that the promises made during the campaign don’t always match what’s happening on the ground.
