Arizona Democrats Declare Harris as True Champion for Border Reform, Dismissing Trump’s Photo Ops

Arizona Democrats are criticizing former President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Arizona-Mexico border, labeling it a mere publicity stunt. Trump is scheduled to stop in Cochise County as part of his campaign efforts.

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly commented on the visit during an August 21 briefing, stating, “He likes to make a trip to the border about once a year to get his picture taken by the fence.” He asserted that Americans recognize Trump’s attempts at posturing.

Kelly underscored that Vice President Kamala Harris is genuinely focused on addressing border issues. “There’s only one person who is actually interested in finding real solutions,” he said.

Prior to his Arizona visit, Trump’s campaign aimed criticism at Harris, blaming her for the ongoing border crisis and the influx of fentanyl trafficking, which they assert leads to increased crime and overdoses. Interestingly, a recent report from the United States Sentencing Commission showed that 86% of individuals sentenced for fentanyl trafficking from 2017 to 2021 were U.S. citizens.

The Trump campaign emphasized the need for effective border security, stating, “President Trump will Make America Great Again by stopping the migrant invasion.” They argued that Americans cannot afford another term under a “missing-in-action border Czar.”

Democrats, including Kelly and Bisbee Mayor Ken Budge, have sharply criticized Trump for advising Senate Republicans to reject a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year. This legislation aimed to strengthen border security while addressing the humanitarian aspects of the crisis. Trump’s actions were characterized by Kelly as one of the “most hypocritical things I’ve seen.”

Budge expressed disappointment over the bill’s demise, regardless of its imperfections, believing it could have produced tangible results. He also pointed out the importance of maintaining commerce between border cities and their Mexican counterparts, cautioning that Trump’s mass deportation plans could alienate Latino communities.

Both Kelly and Budge refrained from commenting on whether Harris would visit the border, despite Trump’s repeated critiques on her absence. Budge remarked, “Just to have your picture taken with a big, rusty wall behind you, I don’t think accomplishes anything.”

Meanwhile, Harris is allegedly engaging with border community leaders, a strategy Budge deemed more meaningful. In late July, mayors from several Arizona border cities endorsed Harris, signaling political support that transcends party lines.

Trump’s social media tirades culminated in a recent post blaming Harris for crime at the border and vowing to end what he described as a nightmare following a victory in the upcoming elections. His campaign further accused her of contributing to a “porous border” by allegedly allowing criminal elements to enter the country.

While unauthorized border crossings significantly increased during President Biden’s first three years, recent trends indicate a decline influenced by various factors, including the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and political unrest in Latin America. Biden’s recent executive order limiting asylum claims has evoked mixed reactions, criticized by Republicans as insufficient and by progressives as a betrayal.

Following his border visit, Trump plans to hold a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. This venue recently hosted Harris, attracting approximately 15,000 supporters during her appearance on August 9.