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

Donald Trump returns attention to a project plagued by algae, peeling liners, cost overruns and delays despite his claims that the work is complete
2026-11-02T04:50:44.000Z
'Congresswoman Stevens is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party,' Chair Curtis Hertel announced
2026-11-02T04:12:32.000Z
Donald Trump announced farm aid ahead of the November 3 midterms, but its impact on Republican support among rural voters remains uncertain
2026-11-02T04:03:44.000Z
Bernie Sanders compared the alleged effort in Alaska with a GOP-aligned super PAC’s reported spending to boost an independent candidate in Ohio
2026-11-02T03:48:46.000Z
Donald Trump said he could repeatedly veto Democratic-backed bills until lawmakers agree to negotiate with his administration
2026-11-02T02:25:21.000Z
The Michigan congresswoman broke ranks with her party's Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed just two days before Election Day
2026-11-02T02:13:28.000Z
The two Sullivan row deepened after an investigative report revealed that the Dem candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign plotted to recruit another candidate with a similar name to GOP’s Sullivan to dilute GOP votes
2026-11-01T20:52:39.000Z
Despite endorsing Mike Rogers, Haley Stevens maintained that she remained a 'proud Democrat' who stood by the values she had always supported
2026-11-01T20:09:05.000Z
Shapiro, who is also a potential 2028 presidential contender, said he expected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to make efforts to delay the seating of new members if Republicans lost their majority
2026-11-01T18:44:40.000Z
The ad showed a woman blaming Israel for high grocery prices, though Abdul El-Sayed's campaign denied responsibility for the messaging
2026-11-01T17:50:04.000Z