Salazar has received criticism for accepting campaign donations from Victor Manuel Rocha, an accused Cuban spy, and faced questions about the adequacy and timing of returning the funds (Miami Herald).
She has been accused by local opponent Báez-Geller of voting against her district's best interests and not effectively advocating for community needs (Islander News).
Salazar's strong stance against former lawmakers becoming lobbyists---including criticism of former Rep. Ros-Lehtinen---could be perceived as politically motivated or inconsistent, depending on her own future actions (Miami Herald).
Her invocation of Reagan-era foreign policy approaches to Central America and comments urging Trump to intervene in gang violence may be seen as dated or not fully addressing root causes of migration (El Nuevo Herald).
While seeking bipartisan immigration reform with Democrat Veronica Escobar, Salazar may risk criticism from both the right and left if perceived as too compromising or ineffective (Tampa Bay Times).
August 2019: Salazar Advocated For Humanitarian Immigration Solutions Inspired By Reagan-Era Policies According to El Nuevo Herald, "Para ella esta solución radica en ir a la raíz del problema como hizo el presidente Reagan, con la ayuda a quienes combatían las guerrillas y gobiernos represores, reiteró Salazar a el Nuevo Herald." [El Nuevo Herald (Miami, Florida), 8/1/19]
August 2019: Salazar Expressed Concern Over Central American Gang Violence And Child Immigrants According to El Nuevo Herald, 'Los centroamericanos necesitan ayuda. Ahora hay otro tipo de guerra, la de las bandas y los narcos, y Trump los tiene que ayudar. Ellos también son mi gente', dijo, indicando que el problema más urgente es el de los niños inmigrantes que llegan solos." [El Nuevo Herald (Miami, Florida), 8/1/19]
2023-2024: Salazar Pursued Immigration Legislation With Democrat Veronica Escobar According to Tampa Bay Times, "Salazar has pursued immigration legislation with Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar, burnishing her bipartisan reputation." [Tampa Bay Times, 5/16/24]
2020: Salazar Criticized Former Lawmakers Becoming Lobbyists And Favored Term Limits According to Miami Herald, "Salazar said former lawmakers should never become lobbyists. 'I would denounce that forever. If you are part of the government, you should never be a lobbyist, period,' Salazar said, adding that she also favors term limits. 'If you choose to [serve in Congress], it's a very big sacrifice.'" [Miami Herald, 2/4/20]
February 2020: Maria Elvira Salazar Criticized Former Rep. Ros-Lehtinen For Becoming A Lobbyist According to Miami Herald, "Ileana is now a lobbyist, her interests changed," Salazar said in a radio interview two weeks ago. "They're from the political class. People are tired of that elite." [Miami Herald, 2/19/20]
Maria Elvira Salazar Opposed Former Lawmakers Becoming Lobbyists After Ros-Lehtinen Registered As Foreign Agent According to Miami Herald, "Salazar also said former lawmakers should never become lobbyists after Ros-Lehtinen registered as a foreign agent representing the United Arab Emirates last month." [Miami Herald, 2/19/20]
2024: Báez-Geller Accused Salazar Of Voting Against District's Best Interests According to Islander News, "Congresswoman Salazar has played a role in some of the problems affecting our community, and I think voters need to know that. Not only can our Representative do more to help us, but she is actively voting against our best interests." [Islander News, 8/1/24]
2024: Báez-Geller Claimed Salazar Voted Against Community Interests According to Islander News, Báez-Geller said, "Congresswoman Salazar has played a role in some of the problems affecting our community, and I think voters need to know that. Not only can our Representative do more to help us, but she is actively voting against our best interests." [Islander News, 8/1/24]
2023: Fabiola Santiago Reported María Elvira Salazar Received Campaign Donations From Accused Cuban Spy Victor Manuel Rocha According to an opinion piece by Fabiola Santiago in Miami Herald, "Guess to whom in Miami Rocha made two political donations last year totaling $750? The campaign of Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, a bitter critic of President Biden and Trump supporter, a former journalist who in 1995 got an exclusive and controversial one-on-one interview with none other than Fidel Castro." [Fabiola Santiago - Miami Herald, 12/8/23]
2023: Fabiola Santiago Noted Salazar Announced Plan To Return Donations From Victor Manuel Rocha According to an opinion piece by Fabiola Santiago in Miami Herald, "Who cares now that she'll return the donations to a man in jail?" [Fabiola Santiago - Miami Herald, 12/8/23]