Kamala Harris Claims U.S.-Mexico Border 'Secure' With Migrants Crossing Set to Reach 2 Million
Vice President Kamala Harris insisted that the U.S.-Mexico border is "secure" despite migrants crossing the border every month expected to reach two million.
Fox News reported that Harris made the claim during an interview on "Meet the Press," wherein she was asked by NBC News anchor Chuck Todd if she thinks the border is secure. Harris answered that the immigration system was "broken" under former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.
She added that the immigration system still needs to be fixed, while also placing law and a plan that would pave the way for citizenship for millions of people who are prepared to do what is "legally required to gain citizenship."
Harris said that they do not have a plan as of now because "people are playing politics in a state like this and in Congress." The vice president was referring to Texas.
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Migrants Crossing U.S. Mexico Border
However, many were outraged by Harris' claims, particularly Republicans.
Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs tweeted that around five million "illegal aliens" have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border during the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, according to a New York Post report.
California Rep. Darrell Issa said that Harris was "lying on behalf of this White House" when the vice president said that the border is secure.
In 2020, migrants crossing the border were just around 458,000. In the same year, Biden promised to reverse Trump's migration policies and tapped Harris to oversee border security and migration.
Meanwhile, Democratic Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar said that he had given up on trying to work with Harris on border-related issues. Cuellar earlier said that Harris was tasked with the job of border security and she does not look very interested. He added that they are going to move on to other folks that work on the matter.
Migrants Apprehended In 2022
Border officials have migrant encounters of over 1.74 million by the end of June, which is a record-breaking number during the government's 2021 fiscal year. The New York Times noted that it was the highest number of illegal crossings recorded since at least 1960.
Officials noted that about 18% of the people apprehended in July were repeat crossers.
The high number of border crossings comes after the United Nations noted that there are more displaced people around the world than ever before. Some migrants are putting their fate in the hands of smugglers to flee violence, poverty, and life under authoritarian governments. Some are looking for economic opportunities in the U.S. with the widespread job loss during the pandemic.
Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan noted in a tweet that the border crisis "is out of control."
Meanwhile, the Biden administration attempted to rescind one of the policies used in migration, known as Title 42, in late May.
Last month, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was scrutinized after she claimed people were not walking across the country illegally.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
WATCH: Kamala Harris Asked Point Blank: 'Would You Call The Border Secure?' - from Forbes Breaking News
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