Harris Visits Southern U.S. Border to Address Immigration During Campaign Amid Record Illegal Crossings

As September nears its end, the temperature forecast is expected to peak near the triple digits, drawing Vice President Kamala Harris to confront formidable immigration issues that have become a focal point in the presidential campaign. Scheduled to visit the southern U.S. border for her first time in over three years, this trip marks a significant moment as it comes after President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race, with Harris now leading the ticket.

Addressing a Broken Immigration System

In an exclusive interview with MSNBC on Wednesday, Harris emphasized the pressing need for reform within the immigration system, stating, “We do have a broken immigration system. And it needs to be fixed.” Harris is poised to advocate for enhanced security measures, encompassing the implementation of advanced fentanyl detection machines and an increase in Border Patrol agents, as disclosed by a senior campaign aide to NBC News. Her team is also launching a new advertisement showcasing her tenure as California's attorney general, highlighting her formidable stance against transnational gangs and drug traffickers.

This strategic move signals a determined effort to rebrand the Vice President amid an administration that has grappled with a staggering 10 million illegal border crossings during Biden's presidency. Notably, recent executive actions aimed at tightening asylum restrictions have resulted in a significant decline in crossings.

Criticism and Political Dynamics

Harris has increasingly directed her criticisms towards Trump for allegedly obstructing bipartisan border funding initiatives. “He killed a bill that would have actually been a solution because he wants to run on a problem,” Harris asserted during her MSNBC interview. Conversely, House Speaker Mike Johnson has contended that the Senate-negotiated bill fell short of expectations, while Republicans have sought to characterize Harris as the administration's “border czar.”

Shifting Perceptions in Immigration Discourse

Despite the attempts to frame Harris as the “border czar,” her aides have clarified that her role was limited to investigating the root causes of migration in the “Northern Triangle” countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Trump, on the other hand, questioned Harris's commitment to resolving immigration issues, stating, “Why didn’t she fix it almost four years ago?” An NBC News poll conducted earlier this month revealed that 54% of registered voters believed Trump would excel in securing the border and managing immigration, while only 33% expressed confidence in Harris. However, the poll also indicated that 57% of registered voters felt Harris would be more adept at treating immigrants humanely and safeguarding immigrant rights, in contrast to 29% who favored Trump in this regard. Trump's remarks on immigrants were unequivocal, asserting, “They’re infecting our country. They’re destroying our country.”

Immigration Debate in Battleground Arizona

The contentious discourse surrounding immigration holds particular significance in Arizona, a critical battleground state. Notably, rancher John Ladd expressed his sentiments, recounting the challenges faced by his family on their 16,000-acre property in Cochise County. He emphasized that under the Biden administration, the number of border apprehensions on his property soared to around 150 per day, a stark contrast to the lower figures observed during Trump's tenure. Ladd voiced skepticism regarding Harris's enforced immigration stance, deeming it insincere and asserting that her true intention is to advocate for open borders.

A Diverse Perspective on Immigration Solutions

In a notable shift, Danya Acosta, a City Council member and former sheriff's deputy in Douglas, expressed support for Harris while voicing frustration with the political polarization surrounding immigration. Acosta acknowledged her previous votes for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020, but expressed disappointment in what she perceived as Biden's lenient border policies. The failure of the bipartisan border bill in the Republican-controlled House prompted a reevaluation of her stance, leading her to recognize the exploitation of the immigration issue for political gain.