President Biden’s recent debate performance has sparked discussions among some Democrats about the possibility of President Kamala Harris taking over. If that were to happen, many are wondering how she would handle the ongoing border crisis. Harris has been a consistent supporter of the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies, which include rolling back Trump-era policies and introducing a comprehensive immigration bill on day one.
In a statement in February, Harris emphasized the need to address the root causes of migration and fix the broken immigration system. She has shown support for a bipartisan Senate package, similar to Biden, which aims to provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants in the U.S. However, the bill has faced challenges in the Senate, with Harris attributing the failure to former President Trump’s interference.
Harris has also taken on the task of leading diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of migration in Northern Triangle countries. The administration’s strategy focuses on investing in these countries to target issues like climate change, violence, poverty, and economic insecurity to reduce migration to the U.S. border. Harris’ involvement in this initiative has led to over $5.2 billion in private-sector investment committed since May 2021 and a significant decrease in encounters at the border.
If Harris were to become president, her past campaign promises indicate a potential for more aggressive executive action on immigration. She pledged to expand DACA protections by executive order, eliminate age requirements, and create a “parole in place” program for illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors. Additionally, she promised to shield illegal immigrant parents of American citizens and green card holders from deportation, potentially protecting over 6 million immigrants from removal.
President Biden recently used executive action to protect some spouses of American citizens from deportation, a move supported by Harris. However, she emphasized the need for more comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. Harris continues to call on Congress to pass permanent protections for Dreamers and address the broader issues within the immigration system.
In conclusion, should President Biden step aside and Kamala Harris assume the presidency, her approach to immigration and the ongoing border crisis would likely align with the current administration’s policies. Her focus on addressing root causes of migration, supporting comprehensive immigration reform, and utilizing executive action to protect vulnerable immigrant populations would continue to be central to her leadership style. The success of her initiatives in reducing encounters at the border and attracting private-sector investment demonstrates her commitment to addressing the complexities of immigration in the U.S.