U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is taking a tougher stance on immigration, aiming to neutralize Republican attacks on the Biden administration’s border policies. In a rare visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Harris accused Donald Trump of relying on “scapegoating instead of solutions” during his presidency, adding that his administration favored “rhetoric instead of results.”
This visit, Kamala Harris’s first since 2021, comes as immigration remains a central issue in the political arena, with polls indicating that Americans trust Trump more than Kamala Harris to handle the border. At a campaign event in Douglas, Arizona, Harris stated that Trump “did nothing to fix our broken immigration system” and that the GOP is forcing a “false choice” between security and humane immigration policies. “We can and must do both,” she asserted, positioning herself as both firm and compassionate on the issue.
Challenges in Arizona’s Conservative Stronghold
Harris’s trip to Cochise County, Arizona, a region that saw record-high border crossings last year, highlighted her administration’s tougher stance on immigration. Touring the border wall and engaging with local officials, she projected an image of firmness on border security, a key issue in the area. Despite the recent enactment of stricter asylum laws by President Joe Biden’s administration, the vice president faces resistance from locals who remain unconvinced about her efforts.
One such local, Jim Chilton, a rancher near Arivaca, expressed skepticism over Harris’s intentions, stating, “I’ve watched her and President Biden. We’ve had an open border policy.” Chilton, whose ranch has seen thousands of undocumented migrants cross his land, believes that drug dealers and gang members are part of the migration flow. He dismissed Harris’s visit as a political move, suggesting, “She’s changing her mind just to get votes and lie to us.” Despite Harris’s vow to crack down on illegal crossings, many conservatives in the region remain aligned with Trump’s hardline stance.
Divided Opinions in Border Towns
The issue of immigration has left communities in border towns like Douglas deeply divided. Some homeowners have taken drastic measures, building brick walls around their properties to prevent migrants from entering their yards. While concerns over security are evident, there is also a degree of empathy among local residents for the plight of migrants. Volunteer efforts, such as those by Gail Kochorek, who distributes food and water to migrants, continue despite the political climate.
Kochorek, a Democrat, expressed disappointment in Kamala Harris’s promises to intensify border enforcement but stated that she would still vote for her over Trump. “The political approach to immigration is increasingly dehumanizing,” Kochorek noted, adding that Trump’s border wall, which he vowed to complete if re-elected, has its own flaws. Pointing to gaps in the structure, she expressed doubt that the wall would ever fully secure the border. Despite her disapproval of Trump’s methods, the broader sense of insecurity among some Democrats in these regions suggests that Harris has a significant challenge ahead in winning over voters concerned about border safety.
Kamala Harris’s Political Balancing Act on Immigration
As the 2024 election approaches, Harris is under immense pressure to demonstrate that she can handle the complexities of immigration, both legally and humanely. Though she is not directly responsible for shaping U.S. border policy as vice president, Harris was tasked with addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. Her efforts have focused on tackling systemic issues like poverty, corruption, and violence in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
However, many argue that these strategies have yet to produce visible results. Kamala Harris’s challenge is further complicated by the rightward shift in immigration politics. While her remarks echo President Biden’s emphasis on security and law enforcement, she must also balance the humanitarian aspects of immigration. Her experience as California’s attorney general, where she investigated transnational criminal organizations, is now being highlighted to emphasize her tough stance. As the border issue remains a vulnerability in her campaign, Harris’s ability to craft a balanced and effective immigration policy could determine the success of her candidacy.
