As the 2024 presidential election draws closer, the pressure on Vice President Kamala Harris to address the ongoing situation at the US-Mexico border intensifies. While she is expected to make a visit to the border this week, her past stances on immigration raise questions about her approach to the issue.
Harris, during her tenure as California’s Attorney General, often clashed with the Obama administration on immigration policy. Notably, she championed the cause of Sergio Garcia, an undocumented immigrant seeking a law license in California. Despite opposition from the Obama administration, which argued it would violate federal immigration law, Harris, alongside the State Bar of California and various civil rights groups, successfully advocated for Garcia’s right to practice law. Ultimately, Garcia became the first undocumented immigrant to be licensed in California.
Harris’s stance on immigration goes beyond this one case. She has consistently criticized deportation policies targeting non-criminals, a point of contention with the Obama administration. In 2019, she publicly disagreed with Obama’s approach, stating that she believed it was wrong to deport individuals who had not committed crimes beyond crossing the border. Furthermore, Harris, as California’s Attorney General, directed sheriffs in the state to disregard ICE detainers, prioritizing public safety over compliance with federal immigration mandates.
This history of dissent, however, presents a contrast to Harris’s current campaign promises. She has pledged a ‘pragmatic’ approach to border security, a stark difference from her previous outspoken opposition to deportation policies. While some see her planned visit to the border as a political move, others argue that it reflects a shift in her stance and a willingness to address the complexities of the issue.
Harris’s evolution on immigration policy highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the issue. Her history, marked by disagreements with the Obama administration and advocacy for immigrant rights, stands in contrast to her current campaign promises. As she faces increasing scrutiny over her handling of the border crisis, it remains to be seen how her actions will align with her past pronouncements and the diverse perspectives on immigration within her own party.
