Kamala Tries To Change Her Border Narrative

Former President Donald Trump has frequently criticized Vice President Kamala Harris over her handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, a contentious issue that has been a focal point of his rhetoric. Recently, Harris has been working to counter these criticisms with a more proactive stance on border security.

In a speech to a large audience in Glendale, Arizona, Harris highlighted her previous experience in a border state. “As Attorney General of California, I took on transnational gangs, drug cartels, and human traffickers,” she stated. “I prosecuted these criminals relentlessly and achieved significant victories, so I understand the complexities of border management.”

Harris used this experience to challenge Trump’s border security claims. “Trump talks a lot about securing the border but fails to take meaningful action,” she argued, attributing the lack of progress in Congress on border legislation to Trump’s influence.

This approach represents a shift for Harris, who has faced Republican criticism for her evolving stance on immigration. During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris was criticized for her position on not prosecuting illegal border crossings. However, a recent statement from a Harris campaign advisor clarified her current position: “Unauthorized border crossings are illegal, consistent with the administration’s policy.”

While Democrats have traditionally been cautious about making immigration a central campaign issue compared to Republicans, Harris made a notable shift in her rhetoric. “Our immigration system is in dire need of reform,” she asserted. “We need comprehensive changes that ensure robust border security and provide a legitimate pathway to citizenship.”

Harris’s campaign has also released a new ad emphasizing her commitment to border control. The ad touts her support for the most stringent border security measures in decades and promises to expand the border patrol and combat illegal activities such as fentanyl trafficking and human smuggling. “Addressing border issues is challenging, and Kamala Harris is up to the task,” the ad claims.

Trump has criticized Harris for her role as President Joe Biden’s “border czar,” accusing her of overseeing policies that have led to a surge in illegal immigration. “Kamala Harris has effectively opened our borders, allowing millions of illegal immigrants to flood into our country,” Trump said at a recent rally. He vowed to reverse the Biden-Harris administration’s policies and implement strict border controls if elected.

In the critical swing state of Arizona, where border issues are highly significant to voters, the effectiveness of Harris’s revised border strategy remains to be seen. Recent polls show Trump leading Harris by five points in the state, according to Emerson College and Public Opinion Strategies. This underscores the importance of border security in the upcoming election and the challenge Harris faces in reshaping her image on this issue.