Latinas for Trump cofounder warns party will lose midterms because of Miller

🌴Florida State Sen. IGIleana Garcia (R) warned on Jan. 27, 2026, that Trump 'will lose the midterms because of SMStephen Miller.' Garcia cofounded Latinas for Trump and has been a prominent Hispanic Republican voice. She told reporters that Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy, is responsible for immigration enforcement tactics that are alienating Latino voters. Garcia said the political damage from the current approach will cost Republicans congressional seats in 2026.

Garcia called the APAlex Pretti shooting in Minneapolis 'abhorrent.' Pretti was shot by immigration enforcement agents while holding a valid concealed carry permit. Garcia said the administration's narrative about the incident left her 'dumbfounded.' She criticized how officials characterized the shooting and defended the agents' actions. Garcia said the administration's response showed a lack of understanding about how Latino communities view aggressive enforcement.

Garcia criticized specific enforcement tactics. She opposed unmarked cars used by immigration agents. She condemned masked agents who don't identify themselves. She called out violent tactics including tear gas use. She said deportations of long-term residents who have non-violent offenses are excessive. Garcia argued these tactics create fear in Latino communities regardless of immigration status.

Garcia supported Trump in 2016 and worked at the Department of Homeland Security during his first term. She left DHS in 2019 to work on the Latinas for Trump 2020 campaign. Garcia helped organize Latino outreach and was a visible face of Hispanic support for Trump. She won election to the 🌴Florida State Senate in 2020 from a Miami-area district with a significant Hispanic population.

Garcia now fears for the safety of her own son. She told reporters he 'looks Hispanic' and could be targeted by aggressive enforcement tactics regardless of his citizenship status. She compared the current climate of self-censorship among Republicans to stories her mother told her about Cuba. Garcia said Republicans are afraid to speak out against tactics they privately oppose.

Garcia previously criticized immigration tactics in Jun. 2025. She called them 'unacceptable and inhumane' in public statements at that time. The criticism predates the APAlex Pretti shooting and Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. Garcia has been consistent in opposing what she views as excessive enforcement even while supporting border security generally.

KMKatie Miller, who is married to SMStephen Miller, responded to Garcia's criticism. Miller claimed Garcia 'was fired from DHS...because she failed to show up to work.' Katie Miller serves as a spokesperson for the administration. Garcia disputes this account. She maintains she left DHS voluntarily in 2019 to work on Trump's 2020 campaign as part of the Latinas for Trump organization.

Garcia's warning reflects broader Republican concerns about Latino voter trends. Exit polls from the 2024 election showed Trump made gains with Latino voters compared to 2020. But aggressive immigration enforcement risks reversing those gains. Republicans worry that tactics perceived as targeting all Latinos, not just undocumented immigrants, will drive Hispanic voters back to Democrats in 2026 midterms.