'Anyone but Trump': Latino voters voice anger over immigration raids

For nearly two years, President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation campaign has instilled fear in immigrant communities, resulting in numerous distressing headlines and social media videos. As the midterm elections approach, many Latino voters who supported Trump and the Republican Party in 2024 express their dissatisfaction.

In Doral, a primarily Latino community in southern Florida near Miami that also houses one of Trump's golf courses, residents express concerns that worries about potential raids have led to businesses lacking staff and classrooms with fewer pupils.

Known as "Doralzuela," this area is home to a significant Venezuelan population and may serve as a harbinger of shifting Latino attitudes nationwide. Maria Fernanda Perez, a restaurant owner, expresses her disappointment, stating that her vote for Trump was based on the expectation of economic improvement. However, three of her employees stopped showing up due to deportation fears, causing a 40% drop in sales as the community pulls back from social activities.

Perez's entire family and friends are currently involved in immigration proceedings, rendering them unable to work and engage in daily life.

Trump campaigned on promises of a historic deportation drive, but many believe he misled the public, as over a thousand people are taken into immigration custody daily. Like other communities across the country, residents in Doral have started exchanging messages to warn each other about the presence of immigration agents or someone being detained.

According to a New York Times and Siena College poll conducted last month, 66% of Hispanic respondents disapproved of Trump's performance, and 78% would prefer that Democrats gain control of Congress from Republicans. Maria Fernanda Perez explicitly states that she will vote "Anyone but Trump" in the upcoming election.

Carlos Bermudez, a Venezuelan-origin lawyer, receives constant calls from individuals experiencing immigration proceedings. They avoid going out and working, enduring constant psychological pressure that affects the entire community. Bermudez, who considers himself a Republican due to his background, expresses concerns about the party's extreme positions.

While he identifies as a Republican, he disagrees with the party's extreme wing's current actions. Doral Councilman Rafael Pineyro highlights the uncertainty and fear experienced by the Latino community in South Florida, questioning the Trump administration's immigration strategy. He believes that Trump's policies will hinder the gains made by Republicans among Florida's Cuban, Venezuelan, and other Latino voters, particularly in the economy and immigration aspects.