September 11th 2024.
During the heated presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, a wide range of topics were discussed, from the lighthearted issue of "illegals eating animals" to more serious matters such as foreign policy. One of the key points of contention between the two candidates was immigration issues in America. Trump repeatedly referred to Harris as the "border czar", claiming that she was responsible for the borders and was "embarrassed" by her performance as vice president.
However, this claim was quickly debunked. Harris was never put in charge of America's border security. That responsibility lies with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Harris was actually tasked by Joe Biden to address the root causes of migration from three specific countries known as the "Northern Triangle": Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
In her role as vice president, Harris has made efforts to understand the reasons behind mass migration. She has even visited the border, including a trip to Mexico and Guatemala in 2021. During this visit, she expressed her hope to identify and address the "root causes" that drive people to make the dangerous journey to the US.
Harris also issued a stern warning to those considering making the illegal crossing into America: "Do not come. Do not come." Despite her efforts, opponents continue to criticize her and Biden for the historic highs in border crossings in the last four years.
Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute, acknowledged that the task given to Harris was not an easy one and may not yield immediate results. He stated, "To the extent that this was a useful assignment, she did reasonably well in getting the private sector to invest in Central America. But it was an assignment that could not produce results anytime soon."
During the debate, Trump also falsely claimed that millions of migrants were pouring into the US from "foreign prisons and mental institutions." He even went as far as to say they were "taking over towns, buildings, and going in violently." However, there is no evidence to support these claims. In fact, a study from the Brennan Center for Justice found that there is no surge in crime from immigrants in the US. Another study from 2021 even showed that undocumented immigrants are 33% less likely to be incarcerated than people born in the United States.
Despite the heated exchange between Trump and Harris, it is clear that Harris was never responsible for border security and was actually tasked with addressing the root causes of migration. While her efforts may not bring immediate results, it is important to acknowledge the complexity of the issue and the steps being taken to address it.
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