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Kamala Harris Goes Bold with ‘Tough on Border’ Stance

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3 months ago

Sep 28, 2024.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has made a rare visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, aiming to counter Republican criticisms regarding immigration policies.

This marks her first trip to the border since 2021, during which she accused former President Donald Trump of focusing on “scapegoating instead of solutions” and prioritizing “rhetoric instead of results.”

On the same day, Trump claimed that Harris was struggling on the immigration front and criticized her support for what he called “the worst bill ever drawn” regarding border security.

Polls indicate that many Americans trust Trump more than Harris when it comes to handling border issues and illegal immigration.

Harris chose Cochise County, a conservative area in Arizona that saw a surge in border crossings last fall, as the backdrop for her visit.

There, she inspected the border wall, engaged with local officials, and aimed to convey a message of strength.

She stated that Trump “did nothing to fix our broken immigration system” during his presidency, arguing that Republicans are presenting a “false choice” between border security and a “safe, orderly and humane” immigration process.

“We can and must do both,” she asserted at a campaign event in Douglas.

The Vice President committed to strengthening the asylum laws implemented earlier this year by President Biden and to reviving a bipartisan border security bill that Trump previously blocked.

However, local rancher Jim Chilton expressed skepticism about her intentions. “I’ve watched her and President Biden,” he told the BBC. “We’ve had an open border policy. We now are understanding what that really means.”

Chilton, who owns a 50,000-acre ranch near Arivaca, has witnessed thousands of undocumented migrants crossing his land annually.

He has set up motion-activated cameras that capture groups of individuals, often clad in camouflage, traversing his property.

He suspects that drug traffickers and gang members are among them. Despite posting menacing signs to deter trespassers, Chilton has also installed drinking fountains to prevent deaths during the perilous journey. Last year, three bodies were discovered on his land.

A Trump supporter, Chilton doubts that Harris will take significant action to reduce the flow of migrants.

“She’s changing her mind just to get votes and lie to us. It’s outrageous,” he said.

Concerns about the influx of migrants are palpable in small border towns like Douglas, where residents can see into Mexico from their porches.

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One local mentioned that her neighbors built brick walls around their homes to prevent migrants from hiding in their backyards.

Even some Democrats in the area, who plan to vote for Harris, admit they felt safer under Trump’s border policies.

Last year, local churches and the visitor center quickly turned into makeshift shelters for newcomers.

Since then, the Biden administration has implemented stricter asylum regulations, leading to a significant decrease in migrant crossings, which have fallen to four-year lows.

Gail Kochorek, a dedicated volunteer, often drives to the border to distribute food and water to individuals waiting to cross from Mexico, typically waiting until nightfall to return to the U.S.

She believes the political discourse surrounding immigration has become increasingly dehumanizing for those seeking a better life.

While she is disappointed by Harris’s promises to tighten restrictions, she still plans to vote for her over Trump.

Kochorek laughed at Trump’s claims of securing the border, pointing out gaps in the wall where people can easily cross.

Trump has pledged to complete the border barrier, bolster enforcement, and initiate the largest mass deportation of undocumented migrants in U.S. history.

However, he recently urged Republicans to abandon a bipartisan border bill that had received support from Biden and Harris, calling it “the worst bill ever drawn” and “a waste of paper.”

In response to Harris’s border visit, the Trump campaign dismissed it as a mere “drop-in” and a “photo op.” The border crisis has become a significant vulnerability for Harris.

Although she has not directly influenced border policy as vice president, she has been tasked with addressing the root causes of migration from Northern Triangle countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

Her efforts focus on systemic issues such as poverty, corruption, and violence that drive people to undertake the dangerous journey to the U.S.

While it remains uncertain whether her dual strategy of strengthening democratic institutions and encouraging business investment in the region will yield results, Harris has faced considerable blame for rising migration trends.

As a candidate, she has highlighted her background as a prosecutor in California, particularly her work on transnational crime and cartel organizations, to underscore her approach to immigration challenges.

Her recent statements align closely with President Biden’s focus on border security and law enforcement, reflecting a notable shift to the right in the political landscape surrounding immigration.

As she aims to persuade voters of her comprehensive plan, her greatest challenge lies in balancing the legal and humanitarian dimensions of the immigration system.

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