US Vice President Kamala Harris has made headlines for her shifting stance on illegal immigration. While she was a staunch opponent of deportations during her time as a Senator from California, she now promises to address the issue with forceful measures if she wins the 2024 presidential election. This change in rhetoric has triggered debate, particularly in light of her past activism against deportations and her ongoing support for Jussie Smollett, who was convicted of fabricating a hate crime.
A viral video from 2018 shows Harris enthusiastically participating in a Los Angeles parade, chanting “Up, Up for Education. Down, Down for Deportation!” This event, celebrating the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., highlights Harris’s earlier stance against deportations. However, as Vice President, her approach has evolved, with the Biden administration implementing strategies to reduce deportations. Data from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement department reveals a significant decline in the expulsion of criminal foreigners under the Biden administration, with a 67% drop compared to the Trump administration. This change in policy is evident in the deportation figures: the Trump administration deported 485,930 undocumented immigrants with criminal records or pending charges, whereas the Biden-Harris administration deported only 158,931.
The contrasting views on immigration between Harris and former President Trump have become a major point of contention during the 2024 presidential campaign. Harris has expressed concern over Trump’s plans to reinstate deportations for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes, warning of potential “mass deportation” camps. She questioned the feasibility of such a plan, stating, “They have promised to carry out the largest deportation in American history. How’s that gonna happen, massive raids? Massive detention camps?”
Notably, Jussie Smollett, a former actor known for his role in the TV series “Empire,” was also present at the 2018 parade. In 2019, Smollett was found guilty of orchestrating a hoax hate crime, claiming that he was attacked by individuals wearing MAGA hats. At the time, Harris, then a senator, denounced the alleged attack on social media, calling it an “attempted modern-day lynching.” Despite Smollett’s conviction, Harris has not removed this post, a decision that has attracted criticism.
The debate surrounding immigration continues to be a focal point in American politics, with both sides presenting their arguments. Harris’s shift in approach, particularly in light of her past opposition to deportations, raises questions about her future policy plans if she wins the 2024 presidential election.
