Vice President Kamala Harris visited a border town in Arizona, drawing criticism from House Republicans representing border districts. The lawmakers accused Harris of prioritizing optics over results in addressing the migrant crisis. They blame the Biden administration for the surge in illegal border crossings since taking office.
Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani of Arizona labeled Harris' visit as a mere photo opportunity for political gain. He criticized her lack of leadership in addressing the border crisis, stating that border districts have suffered under her watch.
Rep. Darrell Issa of California suggested that the border crisis is a deliberate outcome of the administration's policies, leading to various challenges such as drug trafficking and illegal entries.
Rep. Monica De La Cruz of Texas echoed similar sentiments, accusing Harris of playing politics with the border visit, especially as polls show her struggling in Arizona.
Democrats have highlighted President Biden's executive actions on asylum, which resulted in a decrease in illegal border crossings. However, overall border encounters have increased during Biden's tenure, with a record 2.2 million crossings in 2022.
The issue of border security has become a divisive topic between Democrats and Republicans, with differing approaches on how to address the crisis. Harris is expected to advocate for tougher border security measures during her visit.
The Trump campaign criticized Harris' border visit, stating that her calls for increased security before the election will not erase the challenges caused by the administration's border policies.
Harris, who last visited the border in 2021, has been tasked with addressing the root causes of mass migration. Her visit aims to outline solutions for border security and the fentanyl crisis, contrasting her approach with that of former President Trump.
