Vice President Kamala Harris visited the southern U.S. border in Douglas, Arizona, for the first time in more than three years, addressing the hot-button issue of immigration. She acknowledged the broken immigration system and proposed tougher security measures, including new fentanyl detection machines and more Border Patrol agents. Harris also plans to push the Chinese government to crack down on companies producing precursor chemicals for fentanyl. She is advocating for tighter asylum restrictions, with a lower threshold for implementing restrictions compared to President Biden’s executive action. Harris’s visit comes at a time when there have been a record number of illegal border crossings under the Biden administration, prompting criticism from the Republican side.
Harris has been promoting her record as California’s attorney general in prosecuting transnational gangs and drug traffickers. She has criticized former President Trump for failing to address bipartisan border funding deals and has faced accusations of overseeing the border crisis as the administration’s “border czar.” The debate over immigration is particularly significant in battleground Arizona, with differing opinions among residents on Biden’s border policies and the impact on their communities. Despite concerns over the heated rhetoric around immigration, individuals like City Council member Danya Acosta have been swayed by the failure of bipartisan efforts in addressing the issue. The NBC News poll indicates that while Trump is seen as better at securing the border, Harris is viewed more favorably in treating immigrants humanely and protecting their rights.
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