Harris aims to rectify the flawed immigration system.
In the realm of immigration policy, Donald Trump is utilizing his presidential campaign to gain an edge. His Democratic rival, on the other hand, is using strong language as well. As a head of state, she aims to tackle this issue from two perspectives.
Kamala Harris made her first border visit as a U.S. presidential candidate in Douglas, Arizona, a border town. At a campaign event, she pledged to safeguard the borders as president and fix the "faulty immigration system" as president. This visit is timely as the election campaign is underway, and the migration issue is at the forefront.
She stated, "The American people deserve a president who prioritizes border security over political games and personal ambitions," implicitly referencing Trump. Harris aims to prevent Trump's re-election to the White House on November 5th through her immigration policies.
She plans to implement stricter measures to close portions of the border between crossings. Individuals illegally crossing the border will be arrested, deported, and banned from re-entry for five years. However, Harris emphasized that her policy would also pave the way for a compassionate immigration system. She acknowledged the U.S.'s status as an immigrant nation, praising generations that have come from various corners of the world to contribute.
"I reject the false dichotomy that suggests we must choose between securing our border and creating a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system," Harris said, asserting that both objectives are attainable.
Trump: Harris converts small towns into "destroyed refugee camps"
As Vice President, Harris managed immigration matters, among other responsibilities. Trump frequently criticizes her performance, labeling her a failure. In a speech, the Republican presidential candidate accused her of letting "criminals and murderers" into the country, resulting in the transformation of American small towns into "destroyed refugee camps."
The border situation remains volatile, with several agencies struggling to cope in several areas. U.S. President Joe Biden recently tightened asylum rules for migrants entering illegally from Mexico. Despite the decrease in illegal border crossings, they remain at historically high levels, with many individuals choosing the southern border route to escape poverty, violence, and political instability in their home countries.
During her visit to Douglas, Harris reportedly met with officials from US Customs and Border Protection and inspected a section of a border fence constructed between 2011 and 2012 during the Obama administration. Since US President Joe Biden took office, around seven million migrants have been apprehended for illegally crossing the border between the U.S. and Mexico, according to government data. This record number has prompted criticism from Harris' opponent, Donald Trump. However, illegal border crossings have significantly decreased since Biden announced the end of the asylum ban at the start of the year.
Harris countered Trump's criticism by advocating for a balanced approach to migration, stating, "I believe we can have a secure border and a humane immigration system." Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of migration, such as poverty and political instability, as part of her comprehensive immigration policy.
