MIAMI — Four months into Donald Trump’s presidency, many Latino voters in South Florida remain loyal supporters but express growing concerns over his immigration policies.
Reinerio de la Torre, a 56-year-old Cuban immigrant and electrician who voted for Trump, appreciates the president’s promises but worries about the deportations. “I don’t like to see hardworking people being deported,” he said, also criticizing the partial travel ban on Cuba, arguing visas should be evaluated individually.
Patricia, 52, who declined to share her last name, echoed the sentiment, lamenting the deportation of innocent people and expressing reservations about tariffs. “Maybe at the end it will be for the better,” she added.
Trump enjoys strong backing among Cuban Americans in Florida, with around 70% voting for him in the 2024 election. His rally in Hialeah, a working-class city with a large Cuban community, significantly boosted his support, helping him secure Miami-Dade County for the first Republican president since 1988.
While loyalty remains high, some recent Cuban arrivals express unease over Trump’s hardline immigration stance. Many who fled Cuba support tough policies against the communist regime, but recent immigration actions have left some migrants in legal limbo.
Trump revoked legal status for migrants who entered via the Biden-era CBP One app and ended parole programs that benefited hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. This shift has caused alarm in the community, especially as family separations and revoked paroles of former political prisoners have emerged.
Additionally, the partial travel ban on Cuba now blocks many from obtaining visas to visit family, a process already complicated since the U.S. embassy in Havana ceased visa processing in 2017.
Still, many Cuban Americans remain optimistic about Trump’s presidency. Mirta Marino, 78, a retired bank worker who came during the 1980 Mariel boatlift, supports the president’s tough policies. She criticized those who claim political persecution but frequently return to Cuba, believing some migrants exploit benefits without contributing through work.
In nearby Doral, home to a large Venezuelan population, support for Trump remains robust. Business owner Rodrigo Torres, 22, sympathizes with Venezuelans affected by immigration crackdowns but believes removing criminals is necessary. However, ICE data shows nearly half of deported individuals in February had no criminal records.
Venezuelans have been notably impacted by Trump’s policies. The president has frequently criticized Venezuelan gangs in the U.S., and in office, he used a historic wartime law to detain hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants suspected of gang affiliations—claims disputed by families and lawyers.
Carolina Villalobo, who is not yet a citizen and did not vote, described Trump as “very aggressive.” She supports deporting criminals but advocates for a more tactful approach. Nevertheless, her family remains firm Trump supporters.
Political analyst Fernand Amandi notes that while Trump voters in South Florida stand by their choice, they are feeling the pressure and questioning some immigration policies. However, he doubts significant voter shifts unless the economy severely worsens.
Meanwhile, Democrats have launched campaigns targeting South Florida Republican lawmakers supportive of Trump, aiming to leverage dissatisfaction over immigration enforcement ahead of the 2026 elections.
Despite some backlash, local Republican representatives have not openly challenged Trump’s policies, indicating the strong political hold the president maintains within the region’s Latino community.
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