Harris Denounces ‘False Choice’ on Border Security vs. Humane Immigration During Arizona Visit

During a campaign stop in Douglas, Arizona, Vice President Kamala Harris outlined her approach to border security and immigration reform on Friday. Emphasizing the need for a modernized immigration system, she pledged to both secure the border and provide humane solutions to longstanding issues.

“I reject the false choice that we must decide between securing our border and creating a system of immigration that is safe, orderly, and humane,” Harris said at Cochise College’s Douglas Campus. Her remarks followed a call to bolster the U.S. immigration framework, which she argued has faced neglect for far too long.

A significant focus of Harris’s plan is combating the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., which involves increasing drug enforcement personnel and enhancing technology at ports of entry. She also committed to doubling the Justice Department’s budget for tackling transnational gangs and cartels, drawing from her experience as California’s attorney general, where she witnessed the destructive impact of these organizations.

Harris reiterated the restrictions on asylum claims established by President Biden, proposing further limitations. “If someone does not make an asylum request at a legal point of entry and instead crosses our border unlawfully, they will be barred from receiving asylum,” she stated, acknowledging a necessary shift in U.S. law to support this change.

This visit marked her first appearance at the U.S.-Mexico border since becoming the Democratic nominee. Harris met with local officials, including Douglas Mayor Donald Huish and U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, to discuss border issues directly affecting the community.

Harris criticized former President Donald Trump for derailing a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year, which would have increased resources for enforcement. “It was endorsed by the Border Patrol union, and it should be in effect today,” she claimed, signaling her intention to revive the proposal if elected.

Senator Kelly supported Harris’s views, labeling Trump’s interference as hypocritical. “He didn’t want it fixed because he needed it for the election,” he said. The bill, which included hiring more Border Patrol officers and deploying fentanyl screening machines, did not pass Congress due to Trump’s opposition.

Harris faced skepticism about her visit, with critics like U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani accusing her of seeking publicity. Despite differing opinions, her appearance attracted bipartisan support from local leaders endorsing her vision for comprehensive immigration reform.

As the campaign intensifies, immigration and border security remain pivotal issues for both nominees. Trump, despite previously boasting about border achievements, continues to target Harris for her policies. At a recent rally, he promised mass deportations, a stark contrast to Harris’s advocacy for “clear legal pathways” for migrants and protections for Dreamers.

As Harris continues her campaign, she aims to consolidate support in Arizona, a key battleground state. With polls showing a tight race against Trump, her proposals on immigration will likely be central to her appeal to voters in the coming months.