President Biden’s decision to abandon his reelection campaign and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president has brought Harris’ role on immigration into the spotlight. Republicans wasted no time in pointing fingers at Harris for the Biden administration’s challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border, where illegal crossings have reached record levels in recent years. In a phone conversation with CBS News, former President Donald Trump labeled Harris as the “worst border czar” and held her accountable for the border crisis.
As the American voters’ concerns about immigration continue to grow, Harris is expected to face increased scrutiny over the Biden administration’s handling of the issue. While Harris does have a role in immigration within the White House, it is often misunderstood and mischaracterized by her critics.
Harris was tasked by President Biden in March 2021 to lead the administration’s diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of migration from the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. These root causes include poverty, corruption, and violence, which have been driving factors behind the migration influx from the region to the U.S.-Mexico border.
It is important to clarify that Harris was not appointed as the administration’s “border czar” or to oversee immigration policy and enforcement at the border. The primary responsibility for these tasks lies with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and his department, which manages the country’s key immigration agencies.
The only individual who held a role similar to a “border czar” in the Biden administration was Roberta Jacobson, who served as the coordinator for the Southwest border for a brief period until April 2021. Harris’ focus in her immigration role has been on encouraging private sector investments in Central America, promoting democracy, and supporting development initiatives through diplomatic channels.
In March of this year, the White House announced that Harris had secured commitments from the private sector to invest over $5 billion in the region to create economic opportunities and reduce violence. The administration acknowledges that efforts to address the root causes of migration are long-term strategies that require systemic changes in Central America, which will take time to achieve.
While Harris’ work on immigration has been primarily centered on the Northern Triangle countries, questions have been raised about the changing dynamics of migration flows to the U.S.-Mexico border. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in migrants originating from countries outside of Central America, such as Cuba, Colombia, China, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
Government statistics indicate that the proportion of Border Patrol apprehensions from the Northern Triangle countries has decreased, but illegal crossings by migrants from these nations have also decreased since 2021. Harris has faced criticism from both Republicans and progressives for her statements during a visit to Guatemala in June 2021, where she advised potential migrants not to come to the United States.
As the second-highest-ranking member of the Biden administration, Harris is likely to face tough questions about the historic levels of unlawful border crossings reported in recent years. However, the administration has seen a significant decline in illegal crossings in 2024, reaching a three-year low in June following President Biden’s executive order restricting most migrants from seeking asylum.
In conclusion, Vice President Kamala Harris’ role on immigration within the Biden administration is focused on addressing the root causes of migration from Central America, promoting economic development, and engaging the private sector to invest in the region. While criticisms and questions persist about her approach to immigration policy, Harris continues to work towards finding sustainable solutions to the complex challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border.
