Republicans warn Trump that some deportations go too far
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Some GOP lawmakers are starting to warn the Trump administration to reconsider its all-in deportation push.
Why it matters: Republicans are convinced they have a clear mandate to kick out hardened criminals and gang members. But differences are emerging on how aggressively ICE should deport workers, longtime residents and some people who've sought refuge from brutal regimes.
- The White House wants ICE to arrest 3,000 people a day, and dramatically boost their deportation numbers.
- That could lead to more workplace raids.
Zoom in: Today's dissent is far from a GOP rebuke of Trump. But the outlines of a serious debate are taking shape.
- Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) is urging Trump officials to "prioritize the removal of known criminals over the hardworking people who have lived peacefully in the Valley for years."
- Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) is worried about deporting people "that have been here for a while. There's some talk of jobs, etc., and also disrupting parts of the economy. We need to work something else out for those," he told us.
- Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) told CNN: "I think a big part of that is we all need to focus on convicted criminal, illegal aliens" instead of farm laborers.
- Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) told us: "I think there are some legitimate folks who have potential legitimate claims that if you send them back to a regime like Cuba or Nicaragua or potentially North Korea … we might be sending them to a situation where we frankly just don't want to do that."
The other side: Some of the most vulnerable House Republicans said they have few qualms about the way Trump's deportation campaign is being carried out.
- "Rule of law is important," Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told Axios. But "each case-by-case could be different, and I trust our ICE to do it by the book."
- Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) said his primary concern is Afghan SIV applicants, but that he has had "nothing but success in being able to help those folks." He added: "Now for folks who come here illegally, that's a different story. And I think ICE has a job to do."
- "I am supportive of enforcing immigration laws," Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.). "I don't selectively say we've got to enforce immigration law."
Between the lines: How Trump, and Stephen Miller, interpret their immigration mandate will have implications for 2026.
- Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who represents a district won by former Vice President Harris, said: "I've pushed back, for instance, on the issue of Haiti and the total travel ban, because you have a situation on the ground in Haiti where there is not a stable government."
- "These members in the Hispanic conference, you know, we're the majority makers," Gonzales said on CNN. "We're the reason why we have the majority in the house."
