Kamala Harris' Border Fiasco: Failing to Address Root Causes

Despite being tasked with addressing the root causes of illegal immigration by President Biden in 2021, Vice President Harris has faced criticism for her lack of progress. A former Border Patrol union leader claims she failed to implement policies that could have mitigated the crisis. This article examines Harris' record on immigration and border security, her diplomatic efforts in the Northern Triangle countries, and the reasons behind the continued surge in border crossings.

Vice President Kamala Harris' handling of the US-Mexico border has come under scrutiny, with critics arguing that she has failed to address the root causes of illegal immigration. Despite being entrusted with the task in 2021, former Border Patrol union leader Brandon Judd claims that Harris has not implemented policies that could have made a difference.

Kamala Harris' Border Fiasco: Failing to Address Root Causes

President Biden initially assigned Harris to lead the administration's efforts to combat migration by overseeing diplomatic efforts in the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The goal was to strengthen enforcement of immigration laws and secure their borders while developing a long-term strategy to tackle the root causes of migration.

However, Harris' work on the issue has faced criticism, with an NBC News report revealing that her efforts essentially fizzled out after a brief flurry of activity in 2021. Despite initial agreements with Mexico and the disbursement of funds, there have been no new commitments under the Root Causes strategy since then.

Kamala Harris' Border Fiasco: Failing to Address Root Causes

It's worth noting that while Harris' Root Causes strategy has yielded limited results, the share of attempted crossings by migrants from the Northern Triangle countries has decreased significantly. In 2021, they accounted for 41% of Border Patrol apprehensions, which has since dropped to 22%.

Despite the decline in Northern Triangle crossings, illegal crossings overall have reached record highs under the Biden administration. Migrants from all over the world, including China, continue to make their way to the US border in unprecedented numbers.

Kamala Harris' Border Fiasco: Failing to Address Root Causes

Judd, the former Border Patrol union chief, believes that Harris has not addressed the root causes of the spike in crossings. He argues that political instability, climate, and crime, which Harris identified as the main drivers, were also present during the Trump administration, but crossings did not surge to the same extent.

Throughout her career, Harris has advocated for more lenient enforcement of immigration laws. As California's attorney general, she expressed the view that undocumented immigrants are not criminals. She has also opposed policies that reject asylum-seekers or deport immigrants based solely on their undocumented status.

Kamala Harris' Border Fiasco: Failing to Address Root Causes

Under the Biden administration, there has been a shift away from the aggressive deportation approach of the Trump administration. The government has prioritized removing migrants deemed a threat to public safety, leaving many undocumented immigrants who commit minor offenses largely unaffected.

During a January 2022 trip to Honduras, Harris famously proclaimed, "Do not come" to migrants considering crossing the US-Mexico border. The statement was met with criticism from progressive Democrats, who argued that seeking asylum is a legal right and that the US has played a role in destabilizing Central America.

Kamala Harris' Border Fiasco: Failing to Address Root Causes

Border crossings have remained high under Biden, reaching an all-time peak in December 2023 before declining slightly in June. In response, Biden implemented an order suspending entry for some migrants attempting to cross illegally.

The White House has defended Harris' role in the Root Causes strategy, citing her success in securing investments in Northern Triangle countries to address issues like job creation, internet access, and financial inclusion.

However, Judd believes Harris lacks a true understanding of the root causes of the migration crisis. He argues that the primary motivation for migrants is economic opportunity, and that Harris' failure to address this issue effectively has led to increased illegal immigration.

Judd also expresses frustration among Border Patrol agents over Harris' nomination as a potential successor to Biden. They believe she had the power to secure the border but failed to take the necessary actions, leaving them with an ongoing crisis.