Former President Donald Trump will visit the U.S. southern border in Cochise County, Arizona, on Thursday, August 22, 2024. This visit comes amidst a heated political debate over immigration and border security. Trump’s campaign has been vocal in criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris, whom they refer to as the “border Czar Kamala Harris,” for the “country’s worst border crisis.”
The campaign points to a surge in illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and crime as evidence of the crisis. They highlight several cases where illegal immigrants have been accused of violent crimes, including murder. For instance, two Venezuelan nationals have been charged with capital murder in the death of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, and another Venezuelan national has been charged with the murder of 22-year-old Laken Riley. In addition, Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, an El Salvadoran national, was caught by Border Patrol three times before successfully entering the U.S. illegally and was later accused of the murder of Rachel Morin.
Trump’s campaign also emphasizes the growing fentanyl crisis, stating that over half of the fentanyl pills entering the U.S. come through the Arizona border. They cite the alarming statistic that in Maricopa County, Arizona, more than three people die every day on average due to fentanyl overdose.
Trump’s visit is intended to draw attention to the issue and to contrast his approach to border security with the Biden administration’s policies. He intends to present himself as a strong leader who will take decisive action to address the crisis. The visit is expected to be heavily publicized and will likely spark further debate on immigration and border security issues.
