At a rally in Arizona on Friday evening, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation’s immigration policies, calling them “broken” and pledging to fix them if she becomes president. Her remarks come amid increasing criticism of her handling of border issues as part of the Biden-Harris administration, particularly in light of her role as the administration’s designated “border czar.”
Harris highlighted her experience as California’s Attorney General, where she prosecuted crimes related to illegal immigration. “We know our immigration system is broken, and we know what it takes to fix it,” she said.
She advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, which she said should include strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship. Despite her claims of being qualified to address immigration challenges, the Biden-Harris administration has faced ongoing criticism for its handling of the border, with record levels of illegal immigration and continued concerns about security.
In July, the administration was compelled to pause its controversial “parole” program, which allowed 30,000 foreign nationals per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. The program had been marred by fraudulent sponsorship applications and concerns that criminals were slipping through despite the White House’s assurances of thorough vetting.
During her tenure as San Francisco’s district attorney, Harris was a strong proponent of sanctuary cities, a stance that later became a key issue in her political campaigns. This policy has been linked to several criminal incidents in the city.
The Arizona rally, where Harris delivered her remarks, was a private, invitation-only event. Attendees were notified by email the day before and had to RSVP to secure a spot.