During an exclusive interview with CBS News, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign manager, Julie Chávez Rodríguez, suggested that Harris would continue President Biden’s asylum crackdown policies if elected in November. This includes maintaining the partial ban on asylum claims that Biden enacted in June, which has been credited with reducing migrant crossings along the southern border. These comments indicate that there may not be significant changes in U.S. border policy under a Harris administration, despite pressure from progressive activists unhappy with the Biden administration’s stance on asylum issues. Harris is now the presumptive Democratic candidate facing former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
President Biden’s asylum crackdown, implemented through a presidential proclamation in June, suspended entry for most migrants crossing the southern border, disqualifying those who enter the U.S. illegally from seeking asylum. This marked a notable shift for an administration that initially promised to restore the U.S. asylum system but was faced with a surge in border crossings upon taking office. U.S. officials have attributed the decrease in illegal crossings this year to the partial asylum ban, with Border Patrol apprehensions hitting a 3-year low in June and a further decline expected for July. Chávez Rodríguez noted the significant reduction in migration as a result of these policies and emphasized the focus on security and order at the border.
Immigration has become a significant issue in the presidential campaign, with polls showing it is a top concern among American voters. Former President Trump and other Republicans have criticized Biden’s immigration record, blaming him for high levels of migrant apprehensions in recent years. Now, Harris is also facing political attacks on this issue as the likely Democratic nominee. While she was appointed to lead efforts to address root causes of migration in Central America, Harris has faced criticism for her role in the administration’s border policy. Chávez Rodríguez defended Harris’ focus on real solutions to border challenges, highlighting bipartisan efforts to address border security that have faced obstacles in Congress.
Chávez Rodríguez emphasized the need for common-sense immigration legislation to modernize the immigration system and secure the border. However, political divisions and challenges in Congress have hindered progress on this front, with bipartisan agreements failing to move forward. She criticized Trump for politicizing the issue of immigration and obstructing potential solutions. Trump has outlined drastic immigration policies if reelected, including a large-scale deportation campaign, ideological screenings for legal immigrants, border militarization, and ending birthright citizenship for the children of unauthorized immigrants. The upcoming election will likely see continued debate over immigration policy and border security as key issues for American voters.
