Kamala Harris promised to shut down immigration jails
Vice President Kamala Harris made a bold promise during her presidential campaign in 2020 – to close all privately-run immigration detention centers “on day one” if elected. But as her tenure in office continues, her handling of border issues has come under intense scrutiny.
A recently surfaced video clip from an October 2019 town hall in Iowa City, Iowa shows then-Senator Harris enthusiastically responding to a question about her commitment to closing immigration detention centers. When asked if she would commit to closing these facilities as president, Harris replied, “Absolutely, on day one. On day one.”
The video clip was shared on social media by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who accompanied it with the comment, “When she tells you who she is… believe her.” Cruz’s post highlighted the discrepancies between Harris’ campaign promises and her actions as Vice President.
Fast forward to July 2024, and the number of migrants held in 18 private detention facilities across the country has exceeded 37,000, according to data from U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE). Of these migrants, over 10,000 have criminal records, while approximately 4,600 have pending criminal charges.
ICE recently announced a series of arrests, including the deportation of a Brazilian man wanted for attempted murder, who had been apprehended and subsequently released at the southern border in March. Another incident involved a Dominican man who was arrested and charged with fentanyl trafficking in Massachusetts after being caught and released at the border in February.
President Biden has celebrated the decrease in illegal border crossings, but Harris, who was appointed by the President as a border “czar” to address illegal immigration from Central America, continues to face criticism for the administration’s handling of border issues.
Republicans have been particularly vocal in their displeasure with the Biden administration’s approach, pointing to record numbers of illegal immigrants being released into the United States. Harris herself has been a vocal critic of ICE, once likening the agency’s actions to those of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).
In a contentious exchange with Ronald Vitiello, a former nominee to lead ICE under President Trump, Harris raised concerns about the agency’s alleged fearmongering tactics among immigrants from Mexico and Central America. She called for a thorough reevaluation of ICE’s role and operations, suggesting that a complete overhaul may be necessary.
Despite her strong rhetoric on immigration issues during her campaign, Harris’s actions as Vice President have raised questions about her ability to deliver on her promises. The ongoing debate over border policies underscores the challenges facing the Biden administration in its efforts to address the complex and divisive issue of immigration.
