Harris compared ICE to KKK and likened Border Patrol agents to slavery.
Vice President Harris has been a controversial figure when it comes to her interactions with Homeland Security agencies. From comparing ICE to the Ku Klux Klan to fueling a now-discredited narrative about Border Patrol agents on horseback allegedly whipping migrants, her actions have sparked debates and criticisms.
During a confirmation hearing in November 2018, then-Senator Harris questioned Ronald Vitiello, who was President Trump’s nominee to lead ICE, about the perceived parallels between ICE and the KKK. Harris pointed out a tweet from Vitiello in which he compared the Democratic Party to a “neo-Klanist” entity. Although Vitiello apologized for his words, Harris pressed on, highlighting the history of the KKK as a domestic terrorist group motivated by race and ethnicity, using fear and force.
Despite Vitiello’s denial of any parallels between ICE and the white supremacist group, Harris continued to question the agency’s perceived use of power in a way that allegedly caused fear and intimidation, particularly among immigrants from Mexico and Central America. This line of questioning drew criticism from Republicans, accusing her of making inflammatory comparisons for political gain.
In 2021, Harris found herself in hot water once again when she commented on images of Border Patrol agents on horseback in Del Rio, Texas, during the Haitian migrant surge. Although she did not explicitly mention whipping, her statements added fuel to the fire, with some Democrats and President Biden accusing the agents of mistreating migrants. Harris expressed her support for a thorough investigation into the incident, condemning the treatment of human beings depicted in the images.
Despite subsequent investigations finding no evidence of agents whipping migrants, Harris did not retract her statements. She emphasized the need for humane treatment, invoking past atrocities such as slavery and mistreatment of Indigenous people and African Americans.
As the immigration crisis continues to unfold, Harris’s stance on border security and her role in international diplomacy to address migration issues have become central to her political image. Dubbed as the “border czar” by Republicans and media outlets, Harris has pledged to fight for bipartisan solutions to strengthen border security if she is elected president.
Her campaign has criticized former President Trump’s approach to border security, focusing on solutions rather than exacerbating problems for political gain. Harris’s supporters believe she is the candidate best positioned to address the challenges at the border with a pragmatic and bipartisan approach.
While controversies surrounding her interactions with Homeland Security agencies persist, Harris remains steadfast in her commitment to finding humane and effective solutions to the complex issue of immigration. As the debate rages on, the role of Vice President Harris in shaping immigration policy and border security will continue to be a topic of heated discussion in the political landscape.
