What to watch as CPAC Latino 2025 comes to South Florida

Federal lawmakers, celebrities and business owners will gather Saturday and Sunday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood for an annual conference co-hosted by Latino Wallstreet and the Conservative Political Action Conference, a major forum for conservative influencers.

The event follows an election in which Donald Trump attracted more support from Hispanic voters, becoming the first president in nearly 40 years to win majority-Hispanic Miami-Dade County. But it comes amid some pushback against his immigration-enforcement policies from Hispanic leaders in Congress.

As pressure on elected officials mounts from impacted communities, the U.S. Supreme Court also paved the way Friday for Trump to move forward with a policy revoking citizenship from children born to immigrants in the country illegally and some temporary visa holders in places where there isn’t pending litigation — which includes Florida.

In a political climate where conservative Hispanic voters have become a major factor in Florida elections, the theme of CPAC Latino 2025 is prosperity, said Tony Delgado, event organizer and founder of Latino Wallstreet. The event is meant to connect Latino business leaders and politicians so they can work in tandem to create a thriving economy nationally. Among the recent immigration debates, Delgado wants to create a place for people to communicate and improve the livelihoods of Hispanic people.

“I want to dispel this very negative notion that Hispanics come here for a handout, or we come here for welfare,” Delgado said. “It’s quite the opposite. I think Hispanics come here and they work hard, and they work harder than anyone else frankly, and the more financial freedom you have, the more actual freedom you’re able to exercise.”

Here are three things to watch out for at CPAC Latino 2025.

How will U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar talk about immigration?

Salazar, a daughter of Cuban exiles, has openly critiqued Trump’s immigration enforcement decisions this past month. She most recently wrote on social media Tuesday that economic growth is slowing because of people being deported in the construction, agriculture and hospitality sectors. She has said she is “heartbroken” by how ICE raids at immigration courts have affected her constituents.

She is slated to be a speaker at the conference, Delgado said. He anticipates a discussion surrounding the ‘Dignity Act,’ an immigration bill Salazar and others are currently working on that could create a path to citizenship for those who contribute to the economy and have no criminal record. Salazar did not respond to a request for comment.

Will Richard Grenell talk about Venezuela?

Grenell, a former U.S. ambassador to Germany and a current envoy for special diplomatic missions under Trump, is also scheduled to speak Saturday. Grenell was involved in negotiations with Venezuela to allow Chevron to continue exporting Venezuelan oil to the United States in exchange for accepting deportees, sources told the Miami Herald last month. He has denied this claim in the past.

At a CPAC event in Maryland earlier this year, Grenell spoke about a variety of foreign conflicts, including in Gaza and Ukraine at the time, and how Trump was planning to deliver peace in those areas. Grenell did not respond to a request for comment.

How will U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds appeal to Hispanic voters?

Donalds has officially launched his campaign for Florida governor with over a year to go until Election Day. He is also expected to speak at CPAC Latino this year, Delgado said.

Latino Wallstreet typically partners with the Republican Party of Florida at events like these, Delgado said. Donalds was a natural pick because of his staunch support of a free market and tax-free policies, he said, and Delgado wanted to give him a platform to discuss what he plans to do for Florida.

“Byron will protect our freedoms and stand strong against the Democrats’ socialist agenda,” said Danielle Alvarez, a spokesperson for his campaign.

This story was originally published June 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM.