Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit the southern border in Arizona on Friday to address immigration issues and counter criticisms from former President Donald Trump. The visit comes as immigration takes center stage in the 2024 presidential election, with polls showing Trump having more trust from voters on handling the issue.
Democrats have been trying to gain ground on the issue by highlighting a bipartisan border measure that was blocked by congressional Republicans earlier this year after Trump opposed it. Harris's campaign aides are concerned about the gap between the candidates on immigration but are optimistic about recent polling showing Trump's lead on the issue eroding since Harris took over as the Democratic nominee.
Trump criticized Harris ahead of her border visit, questioning her timing and past actions on border security. Harris's campaign plans to counter Trump's attacks with a new ad highlighting her previous work on border-related issues and outlining her plans, including hiring more border agents.
During her visit, Harris intends to emphasize her work as attorney general of California, a border state, and slam Trump for scuttling the bipartisan border deal. She is expected to stress the importance of border security and criticize political gamesmanship on the issue.
Recent data shows a decrease in border crossings, providing a temporary relief to the Biden administration. Despite this, Republicans have falsely labeled Harris as the 'border czar,' a title her team is trying to shake off. Harris's campaign officials believe she has a strong case on immigration, pointing to her record in tackling transnational criminal gangs and advocating for broader immigration reform.
Harris plans to reject the false choice between securing the border and creating a safe and humane immigration system, arguing that both are essential for the country's security and legacy as a nation of immigrants. Her visit to the border aims to amplify her message on immigration and address the ongoing challenges faced by the administration.
Overall, Harris's trip to the southern border signifies her commitment to addressing immigration issues and engaging in constructive dialogue on border security and immigration reform.
