During a Univision town hall, Vice President Kamala Harris defended her record on border security, touting her experience as California's top law enforcement officer, even as her administration faces criticism for a surge in illegal immigration under its watch.
In a town hall with Univision on Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, made a bold statement about her commitment to border security, despite the Biden-Harris administration facing sharp criticism for its lax immigration enforcement, which has seen as many as 20 million illegal immigrants enter the country. Responding to a question on how her approach to the border would differ from President Joe Biden’s, Harris emphasized her background as California’s top law enforcement officer, touting her record on combating transnational criminal organizations.
“Perhaps what distinguishes me from at least a couple of people, I was the top law enforcement officer of the biggest state in this country, California. That is also a border state,” Harris said, highlighting her experience in taking on criminal organizations involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal arms trade. She described her efforts in leading a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general to Mexico to collaborate on prosecuting these crimes, insisting her record proves her commitment to securing the border.
“I will put my record up against anyone in terms of the work I have always done and will always do to ensure we have a secure border,” she added, pointing to her work on combating trafficking and border crime. Harris also referenced her support for a Senate border bill that she pledged to revive and sign into law, which would aim to create an “orderly and humane pathway” to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are contributing members of society.
While Harris presented herself as a strong advocate for border security, her remarks come as the administration faces mounting pressure over a growing immigration crisis. Critics argue that the influx of illegal immigration under Biden and Harris’ leadership has reached unprecedented levels, raising concerns about national security and immigration enforcement. Harris’ comments, touting her past achievements, may signal her strategy to address those criticisms as the 2024 race heats up.
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