Dem strategist Maria Cardona says Trump's RNC speech 'put a target' on the backs of her immigrant friends

Maria Cardona faced backlash for claiming Donald Trump's RNC speech made the migrant community fear about their lives
Maria Cardona shared her concern over Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric at the RNC (Screengrab/CNN, Getty Images)
Maria Cardona shared her concern over Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric at the RNC (Screengrab/CNN, Getty Images)

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee has resulted in immigrants across the United States feeling unsafe, Democratic strategist Maria Cardona claimed.

The former president addressed illegal immigration thrice during his hour-and-a-half-long speech at the RNC. Calls for strengthening border security and deporting illegal migrants formed a central theme at the 4-day event from July 15 to 18.

Maria Cardona calls out Donald Trump over his anti-immigration rhetoric at RNC

Maria Cardona shared that her phone was flooded with messages from friends who were immigrants after Donald Trump's speech at the convention, reading along the lines of, "Oh my God, Donald Trump just put a target on my family's back."

"As an immigrant Latina myself, I feel that way too," she said, adding that she was thankful to reside in Washington instead of a rural, conservative part of the country.

"If I lived in Texas, or in some other rural, red area and my kids were out speaking Spanish—I would be in fear of their life for the words that Donald Trump spoke last night and that is what is at stake," added Cardona.

(X@MariaTCardona)
Maria Cardona spoke out against Donald Trump over his anti-immigration speech at RNC (X@MariaTCardona)

Donald Trump likens illegal immigration to 'massive invasion' at RNC

Donald Trump harped upon the issue of illegal immigration from the stage in Milwaukee, reportedly calling it a "massive invasion" at one point, and accusing it of spreading "misery, crime, poverty, disease, and destruction to communities all across our land," CNN reports. 

Trump later added that without closing the borders and finishing the construction of the southern border wall which he initiated during his first term in office, "No hope or dream we have for America" can succeed.

(Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)
Donald Trump referred to illegal immigration as a 'disease' at 2024 RNC (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

The convention floor was filled with signs reading, "Mass Deportation Now!" as other speakers brought up the subject as well, reported Fox News.

Former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) chief Tom Homan stated that Trump being back at the White House would bring new enforcement measures and more deportations, reports PBS News

"I've got a message to the millions of illegal aliens that Joe Biden has released in our country in violation of federal law: You better start packing now," he said to rousing cheers.

The theme of the RNC for July 16 was 'Make America Secure Again,' with speakers such as Michael Morin, brother of Rachel Morin who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant in 2023.

"Joe Biden and his designated border czar Kamala Harris opened our borders to him and others like him, empowering them to victimize the innocent," said Michael.

Maria Cardona slammed for going after Donald Trump

Social media users slammed Maria Cardona's comments on CNN about immigrants feeling targeted after Donald Trump's speech at the RNC.

"Name something that didn’t happen," mocked a user.



 

"If they're legal, they have nothing to worry about," wrote another.



 

"Stop! Just stop with the BS propaganda," stated a third.



 

"Is she harboring illegal immigrants?" inquired a fourth.



 

"Outright lie, I promise," jibed a fifth.



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Trump says missing Butler evidence has resurfaced as he accuses ex-FBI chief Christopher Wray of mishandling probe
14 minutes ago
Kash Patel accused Sen Peter Welch of lying about election operations before abruptly challenging his wealth during a tense exchange
21 minutes ago
The push to add Trump’s name began in December 2025, when the Trump-aligned board voted to change the venue’s signage
22 minutes ago
Senator Richard Blumenthal questioned Kash Patel if FBI will investigate reports that a Russian oligarch with ties to Putin paid for Don Jr’s Caribbean island wedding
57 minutes ago
Speaker says lawmakers are ‘processing’ Trump’s proposed dividend after being challenged over its contrast with his attacks on communism
1 hour ago
Trump says that current rules make mail-in ballot ‘cheating’ easier, which is a major concern for him and many Republicans
2 hours ago
Lindy Li said Kamala Harris quickly consolidated donor support after Joe Biden exited, but some donors were skeptical of her support for him
10 hours ago
JD Vance claimed the Canadian government has 'imposed extraordinary trade restrictions on American workers all across our country for many years'
11 hours ago
A recent Focaldata/Financial Times poll put JD Vance at 43% among Republican primary voters, more than 20 percentage points ahead of his closest rival
11 hours ago
Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris are widely seen as two of the Democratic Party's leading potential contenders for the 2028 presidential nomination
13 hours ago