US Vice-President Kamala Harris visited the US-Mexico border on Friday in an effort to counter Republican criticism of her handling of immigration, particularly from Donald Trump. The visit, Harris’s first since 2021, comes as the 2024 election campaign heats up and immigration becomes a major talking point. The Democratic candidate sought to present a tough stance on border security while accusing Republicans of using immigration as a scapegoat instead of pursuing real solutions.
Harris Blames Trump for “Broken” Immigration System
Speaking at a campaign event in Douglas, Arizona, Harris accused former President Donald Trump of failing to address the US’s broken immigration system during his tenure. “Trump did nothing to fix our broken immigration system,” she said. “His focus was on scapegoating instead of solutions, rhetoric instead of results.” Harris argued that the Republican narrative was forcing a false choice between border security and a humane immigration process, stressing, “We can and must do both.”
Trump Fires Back, Claims Harris “Getting Killed” on Border Issue
Earlier on Friday, Trump countered Harris’s remarks during a rally in Michigan, calling her efforts on immigration a failure. He claimed Harris is “getting killed on the border issue” and supported “the worst bill ever drawn” regarding border security. He pointed out gaps in the border wall he had promised to build, claiming that Harris’s visit to the border was merely a “drop-in” for a “photo op.”
Trump criticized a bipartisan immigration bill he opposed earlier this year, calling it a “waste of paper” and stating that Harris and Biden were trying to salvage a plan that had no real merit. He emphasized that if re-elected, he would complete the border wall, step up enforcement, and conduct the largest mass deportation of undocumented immigrants in US history.
Vice President Kamala Harris has arrived at the US-Mexico border in Arizona. She’s talking with Border Patrol ahead of a speech where she will announce plans to tighten border restrictions. pic.twitter.com/NzPiRrJbyg
— Trevor Hunnicutt (@TrevorNews) September 27, 2024
Cochise County, Arizona: A Conservative Stronghold at the Forefront of Immigration
Harris’s visit to Cochise County in Arizona, a key conservative area that experienced a surge in border crossings last year, underscored the region’s significance in the immigration debate. She toured the border wall and met with local officials, emphasizing her commitment to strengthening security while reforming the immigration system.
However, not all residents were convinced. Local rancher Jim Chilton, whose 50,000-acre property near the border has been a frequent crossing point for undocumented migrants, remains skeptical. “I’ve seen the evidence of what Harris would do in power,” he said, referring to the continued flow of migrants across his land. Despite installing cameras and motion sensors, Chilton said drug dealers and gang members are among those crossing his property. A vocal Trump supporter, he dismissed Harris’s recent tough talk as politically motivated. “She’s changing her mind just to get votes,” he claimed.
Democrats Torn on Immigration Policy
In border towns like Douglas, views on immigration remain deeply divided, even among Democrats. Many residents recall last year when border crossings reached record highs, overwhelming local infrastructure. Some Democrats expressed concern that Harris was not doing enough to secure the border.
“We felt safer during Trump’s time,” one Democratic voter said. Even those planning to vote for Harris admitted that her approach to the border could use improvement. The Biden administration’s tougher asylum laws, enacted earlier this year, have led to a significant drop in migrant crossings, bringing numbers to a four-year low, but concerns persist.
Humanitarian Challenges Amid Political Battles
For volunteers like Gail Kochorek, the humanitarian crisis at the border is as much of a concern as the political debate. Kochorek, who frequently provides food and water to migrants on the Mexican side of the border, is disheartened by Harris’s promise to crack down on illegal immigration. “The political approach is becoming increasingly dehumanizing,” she said, although she plans to vote for Harris, viewing her as a better option than Trump.
Trump’s rhetoric about securing the border and his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants clashes with the more nuanced stance of the Biden-Harris administration, which aims to balance enforcement with legal and humanitarian considerations.
Harris’s Strategy Moving Forward
As vice-president, Harris has not directly shaped border policy, but she was tasked with addressing the root causes of migration from Central America’s Northern Triangle countries. Her efforts focus on curbing poverty, corruption, and violence in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, hoping to reduce the number of migrants attempting to enter the United States.
Harris has leaned on her past as California’s attorney general, where she prosecuted transnational criminal organizations and cartels, to bolster her credentials on the issue. Yet, many voters remain skeptical of her ability to find a workable solution that balances security with compassion.
As the immigration issue becomes an even more critical topic heading into 2024, Harris’s challenge will be to convince voters that her approach is both tough and fair while differentiating herself from Trump’s more hardline stance. Whether her recent visit to the border and promises for further action will sway voters remains to be seen, especially in battleground states where the immigration debate will be fiercely contested.
