As the Biden administration continues to grapple with the ongoing border crisis, Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering a visit to the southern border this Friday. This potential visit marks a significant moment as it would be her first since 2021, when she last went to El Paso but notably did not inspect the border wall. The decision comes amid significant public concern and criticism surrounding the administration’s handling of immigration, a subject that looms large as a key issue in the 2024 presidential election.
Under President Biden and Vice President Harris, the situation at the southern border has escalated to unprecedented levels. Reports indicate that approximately seven million migrants have been apprehended crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, alongside nearly two million known “gotaways” evading U.S. Border Patrol, as noted by Republican members of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Furthermore, the Pew Research Center estimated that the illegal migrant population in the U.S. reached 11 million in 2022, though critics argue the true number is likely much higher.
Former President Donald Trump, a key figure in the upcoming election, has pledged to enforce mass deportations to address this crisis, a policy that resonates with a majority of Americans according to a recent Ipsos poll. This same poll revealed that Trump maintains a notable ten-point lead over Harris regarding who voters believe would handle immigration more effectively.
Public sentiment demonstrates a clear opposition to open borders, a stance perceived to be championed by Vice President Harris according to a July Harvard-Harris poll. Despite this widespread opposition, establishment media outlets have been seen to defend Harris’s role and history concerning immigration. Since being tasked by President Biden in March 2021 to address migration issues with Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries, Harris has often been referred to as the administration’s “border czar.”
However, this title has faced scrutiny and controversy. PolitiFact has labeled her designation as “mostly false,” a classification amplified after Harris appeared to be the Democrats’ frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election. Axios initially supported the claim but later retracted, indicating the complexity and contradictions in her role within the administration.
Adding to the controversy, GovTrack recently removed its ranking of Harris as the “most liberal senator” in 2019, a title which placed her to the left of socialist Senator Bernie Sanders. This move has drawn further criticism and accusations of attempting to moderate her public image as the election approaches.
The narrative surrounding Kamala Harris and the administration’s handling of the border crisis continues to be a flashpoint in American politics. As the Vice President potentially moves to revisit the border, the discussion on immigration policy and its impacts on national security and resources remains a pivotal issue that voters will closely scrutinize. The decisions made in this context are set to shape not only the political landscape but also the everyday experiences of Americans facing the consequences of these policies.
Liberty requires eternal vigilance. That's why we work hard to deliver news about issues that threaten your liberty.
