Vice President Kamala Harris is facing renewed scrutiny after a 2019 video resurfaced in which she vowed to shut down detention facilities housing illegal immigrants.
This comes when Harris's current stance on immigration seems more stringent than her previous positions. According to Fox News, Harris made the 2019 promise during a campaign event, stating that if elected president, she would close these facilities on her first day in office.
In the resurfaced clip, an attendee asked Harris directly whether she would commit to closing immigration detention centers. Without hesitation, Harris responded, "Absolutely, on day one." This clear and decisive promise is now under the spotlight as her current actions and rhetoric on immigration are viewed as tougher and more nuanced.
Harris, who previously served as the attorney general of California, a border state, has since emphasized her experience in fighting transnational crime, including going after gangs, drug cartels, and human traffickers. She has underscored the importance of comprehensive immigration reform, which includes robust border security and a pathway to citizenship.
Her shift from a firm promise to close detention centers to a more comprehensive approach to immigration has drawn criticism from various corners, especially from conservatives who accuse her of promoting weak border policies. This change has not gone unnoticed by Republicans, who argue that Harris' current stance contradicts her earlier commitments.
GOP vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance has been particularly vocal, accusing Harris of intentionally weakening the border. He contends that her earlier pledge to close detention centers is indicative of her broader strategy to create an open border, a charge that Harris has not directly addressed in recent statements.
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Harris’ past remarks reveal her true intentions regarding immigration policy. Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. and former Trump White House senior adviser Stephen Miller have also joined the chorus of criticism, framing Harris as a proponent of policies that would lead to chaos at the border.
These criticisms have added fuel to an already heated debate over the future of U.S. immigration policy, particularly as Harris continues to advocate for what she describes as necessary reforms. Opponents are now using her past statements to paint her as inconsistent and untrustworthy on the issue.
As of July 2024, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data reveals that over 37,000 migrants are currently held in 18 private detention facilities across the country. Of these detainees, more than 10,000 have criminal records and around 4,600 are facing pending charges.
Republican lawmakers, including Representative Chip Roy of Texas, have seized on this discrepancy, arguing that progressive leaders like Harris are pushing for a borderless society supported by unsustainable government programs. Roy has warned that such policies would weaken national security and burden American taxpayers with immense financial costs.
In response to these criticisms, Harris has doubled down on her call for comprehensive immigration reform. She insists that her experience as a border state attorney general gives her unique insight into the complexities of the issue. She says she focuses on creating a balanced approach that combines security with compassion.
Despite the backlash, Harris has maintained that her goal is to fix what she describes as a "broken" immigration system. She argues that this requires more than just closing detention centers—it demands a complete overhaul of the current policies, including the establishment of a fair and equitable pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
The resurfaced 2019 video of Kamala Harris promising to close migrant detention centers has reignited the debate over her immigration policies. While she has since shifted to a more comprehensive approach, the criticism from conservatives highlights the ongoing divide over how the U.S. should handle immigration. Harris' evolving stance will undoubtedly remain a key issue as the 2024 election approaches.
