Kamala Harris Slams Trump’s Immigration Stance During Arizona Border Visit
In a sharp rebuke to former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris accused him of “playing political games” with immigration, his hallmark issue, as she addressed the complex topic during a visit to the US-Mexico border on Friday.
Harris Advocates for Stronger Border Controls
Speaking in the border town of Douglas, Arizona, Harris underscored America’s dual nature as both a “sovereign nation” and a “country of immigrants.” She expressed her vision of reinforcing border security while striving to “fix our broken immigration system.”
Harris rejected the notion that there must be a choice between securing the border and creating a fair immigration system, stating, “We can and we must do both.” She criticized Trump for obstructing a bipartisan immigration reform bill, arguing that it would have strengthened border security and hired more border patrol agents.
“It should be in effect today, producing results,” she said, emphasizing that Trump prefers to campaign on unresolved issues rather than offering solutions.
Addressing the Border Crisis
The vice president’s comments come after the Biden administration introduced rules to temporarily halt asylum processing at the southern border, resulting in a sharp drop in illegal crossings. Although crossings slightly increased in August, they remained well below levels seen during Trump’s presidency.
Harris pledged to take additional measures to maintain border security if elected president, including stiffer penalties for illegal crossings. She also contrasted her approach with Trump’s controversial immigration policies, reminding the audience of his family separation policy and efforts to end protections for Dreamers, while highlighting the potential for change in her proposed measures.
Trump Hits Back on Border Policy
Meanwhile, Trump addressed supporters in Michigan, claiming Harris is “getting killed on the border” and accusing her of undermining American sovereignty with Biden’s border policies. “It’s a crime what she did,” Trump stated, arguing that her actions jeopardized the nation.
Highlighting Her Record
Harris leaned on her experience as California’s attorney general to further solidify her stance on border security, citing her work prosecuting international smuggling operations. She received briefings from border officials on combating the fentanyl crisis and highlighted efforts to modernize border facilities through bipartisan infrastructure funding.
The Border Debate’s Impact on the 2024 Election
Immigration remains a critical issue in Arizona, often ranking just behind the economy in voters’ concerns. While many Arizonans view Trump as stronger on border security, Harris’s campaign has worked to bridge that gap. Her team launched ads in battleground states like Arizona, promising to increase the number of border patrol agents and fight drug trafficking.
As the election nears, Arizona remains a critical battleground state, with polls showing a tight race. Harris hopes that her emphasis on border security can sway voters in a state that Biden narrowly won in 2020, underscoring the weight of their decision in this crucial election.
Call to Action for Arizona Voters
Arizona’s attorney general, Kris Mayes, joined Harris during her visit and urged voters to make their voices heard, noting how close races in the state can be. “Races in Arizona can be close; take it from me,” said Mayes, referencing her razor-thin election victory in 2022, where she won by a margin of less than 1%.
The race in Arizona and the immigration debate could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, underscoring the urgency and importance of this issue for the future of the nation.