The debate over Vice President Kamala Harris’s role as the so-called “border czar” has gained renewed attention, spotlighting her purported efforts and the lack of tangible results in addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. Beyond her official title, the real question centers on Harris’s effectiveness in mitigating the border crisis that has escalated under the current administration.
Harris’s highly publicized visit to El Paso in 2021 remains her only trip to the southern border and came only after significant media pressure. During an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, Harris downplayed the importance of her presence at the border, even likening it to not having visited Europe. This cavalier attitude was reflected in her choice of El Paso, a location not heavily impacted by illegal border crossings at the time, as opposed to more critical areas like the Rio Grande Valley.
As the “border czar,” Harris declared she aimed to address the “root causes” driving migration from Central America. Her stated strategy called for a long-term, consistent investment in addressing issues such as the lack of opportunities for indigenous populations, Afro-descendants, and women, alongside combating challenges posed by extreme climate conditions. However, this strategy, heavily laced with progressive terminology, has translated into negligible practical outcomes.
Despite Harris’s grand declarations, the assistance extended to Central American nations has yielded limited success. Concrete measures have been insufficient, and the stark reality is reflected in the numbers: over four million migrants have entered the United States from Central America during the Biden administration, a staggering increase compared to the 1.8 million arrivals under President Trump.
While Harris focused on long-term strategies abroad, her inattention to the immediate border crisis is evident. Former Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott criticized Harris for not engaging in meaningful discussions with him regarding border security. Scott noted that unsolicited professional perspectives from border experts were met with hostility, further showcasing the administration’s dismissive approach to on-the-ground realities.
The Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis has resulted in millions of illegal border crossings and the unchecked flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl, contributing to a drug epidemic that claims over 100,000 American lives annually. The direct involvement of Harris in these efforts places her at the center of accountability for the administration’s failures.
As public debate continues to swell around Harris’s role and effectiveness, it becomes increasingly clear that the administration’s strategy, marked by empty rhetoric and ineffective policies, has failed to address the immediate and critical challenges at the southern border. The repercussions of this mismanagement strain border communities and ripple through the nation, affecting public safety and national security.