Vice President Kamala Harris has made a strategic move to mitigate Donald Trump’s lead on immigration. On Friday, she visited the southern border for the first time as the Democratic nominee, outlining her plans to address what she called a decades-long problem.
Challenging Trump on Immigration
Harris criticised Trump’s actions earlier this year that undermined a bipartisan border security bill. The bill, which had support from the Border Patrol union, was halted due to Trump’s political maneuvering. Harris used her background as California’s attorney general to bolster her stance against Trump, claiming he prefers running on issues instead of solving them.
‘It was the strongest border security bill we have seen in decades. It was endorsed by the Border Patrol union. And it should be in effect today, producing results in real time, right now, for our country,’ Harris said at a rally in Douglas, a town on the US-Mexico border. ‘But Donald Trump tanked it.’
Trump’s Response
In response to Harris’s visit, Trump intensified his rhetoric on immigration. He highlighted crimes by undocumented immigrants, accusing Harris of being responsible for these incidents. ‘She unleashed these atrocities, and blood is on her hands at a level that, probably, nobody’s ever seen in this country,’ Trump claimed in Walker, Michigan.
Trump falsely accused Democrats of allowing illegal entries for votes, ignoring the fact that non-citizens cannot vote in US elections. Trump’s claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election were also unfounded.
Harris’s Proposals
Harris laid out her plans to reinforce restrictions that bar migrants from seeking asylum in the United States. She also proposed pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children.
‘They are American in every way. But still, they do not have an earned pathway to citizenship. And this problem has gone unsolved at this point now for decades,’ Harris commented.
The Democratic push on immigration aims to weaken one of Trump’s clear political advantages. A recent poll indicated that 49% of likely voters trust Trump on immigration, compared to 35% for Harris.
2024 Race Takes a Backseat
The immigration debate occurs during a rare moment when the presidential race is not the main focus. Natural disasters and international conflicts have shifted attention away from the 2024 candidates.
Dozens were killed by Hurricane Helene in the Southeast, and Israel escalated its conflict with Hezbollah. Both vice-presidential nominees are preparing for their debate. The presidential map remains unclear, with battleground states in focus. Harris leads in Nebraska’s 2nd District, which could impact the Electoral College outcome.
Another poll showed Harris and Trump tied in North Carolina. Trump’s prospects dim if he loses this state. Additionally, the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina is struggling, which could affect the overall GOP ticket.
GOP Spotlight on Crime by Undocumented Immigrants
Ahead of Harris’s Arizona visit, the Trump campaign held a press call featuring mothers of victims of crimes by undocumented immigrants. They blamed Harris for a lack of accountability on border security.
‘This is not a safe time for Americans. Kamala Harris has not acknowledged my daughter’s death,’ said Patty Morin, whose daughter was killed by an undocumented immigrant. ‘She is late coming to the table on this,’ stated Anne Fundner, whose son died from a fentanyl overdose.
The call aimed to cast doubt on Harris’s border security proposals, claiming she and President Biden failed over the past four years. Despite a drop in border crossings, Republicans continue to label Harris as the ‘border czar,’ overstating her role in tackling migration causes in Central America.
Harris’s Experience as Attorney General
Harris highlighted her experience as California’s attorney general to strengthen her border security stance. She had worked on prosecuting members of transnational criminal organisations and shared intelligence on gangs and cartels during her tenure.
‘Stopping transnational criminal organisations and strengthening our border is not new to me, and it is a long-standing priority of mine,’ Harris stated. ‘I have done that work, and I will continue to treat it as a priority.’
Harris’s strategy to focus on immigration seeks to challenge Trump’s stronghold on the issue. By leveraging her experience and proposing concrete plans, she aims to present herself as a viable alternative to Trump’s immigration policies.
