Swing-State Arizona Border Mayors Back Harris Amid GOP Immigration Critique

Vice President Kamala Harris is highlighting endorsements from mayors of border towns in swing-state Arizona.

PHOENIX — Vice President Kamala Harris underscored endorsements from mayors of border towns in Arizona on Monday, aiming to diffuse Republican critiques of her border policies. The endorsements from the mayors of Bisbee, Nogales, Somerton, and San Luis, alongside Yuma County Supervisors Martin Porchas and Tony Reyes, were announced as Harris ramps up her campaign efforts.

Republicans have long criticized Harris over illegal border crossings, branding her as ineffective in her role as Biden’s “border czar.” House Republicans and some Democrats recently voted to rebuke her handling of the situation. The support from Arizona’s border town mayors offers a counter-narrative, especially crucial in this pivotal swing state.

Somerton Mayor Gerardo Anaya stated, “I trust her to meet the needs of border cities and towns without taking advantage of us for her own political gain, like her opponent.” This sentiment was echoed by the other local leaders endorsing Harris.

As vice president, Harris was tasked with overseeing diplomatic endeavors with Northern Triangle countries to address the root causes of migration. The administration’s strategy involved strengthening enforcement at these countries’ borders and developing long-term solutions to migration issues.

On the other hand, former President Donald Trump’s stringent immigration stance has been a central theme of his political identity. He has pledged to deport millions if he wins a second term.

President Biden’s administration has adopted a dual approach: cracking down on unlawful border crossings while offering new immigration pathways. Recent measures include cutting off asylum access when border arrivals hit a threshold, a policy that has sparked criticism from immigration advocates. More recently, Biden introduced a program granting undocumented spouses of American citizens, who have resided in the U.S. for over a decade, a potential path to citizenship.

Border arrests have declined from their peak last December, providing a glimmer of hope in the complex immigration landscape.