Zolan Kanno-Youngs, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, delves into Kamala Harris's immigration record as she approaches a pivotal campaign phase. He discusses her evolving stance, from her early days as a district attorney to her advocacy against Trump-era deportation policies. The conversation highlights her efforts to tackle root causes of migration in Central America while addressing the challenges posed by rising border crossings. Kanno-Youngs also examines the scrutiny Harris faces in aligning with Biden's policies on immigration.
Kamala Harris's immigration policy blends a tough enforcement stance with efforts to protect vulnerable undocumented immigrants, reflecting a complex legacy.
As Vice President, she focused on addressing root causes of migration in Central America, though immediate policy challenges remain unresolved.
Deep dives
Kamala Harris's Early Immigration Record
Kamala Harris's immigration stance can be traced back to her tenure as the District Attorney of San Francisco, a city known for its sanctuary policies. During her time in this role, Harris supported turning over juvenile undocumented immigrants charged with crimes to federal authorities for possible deportation, demonstrating a tough approach to certain aspects of immigration enforcement. This decision drew criticism from immigrant advocates who argued it undermined due process for undocumented youths. Nevertheless, Harris also pursued policies that provided some protections for immigrants, such as going after employers who exploited undocumented workers and supporting specialized visas for victims of violent crimes.
Adapting to a Shifting Immigration Landscape
As a U.S. Senator, Harris responded to the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies, which were characterized by heightened enforcement and restrictive measures. She collaborated with pro-immigration advocates to oppose actions like travel bans and often questioned Trump administration officials during congressional hearings. Despite carrying the banner against Trump's policies, her responses reflected a defensive posture among Democrats who needed to reclaim ground lost under his administration. Harris's presidential campaign in 2019 further showcased this, as she emphasized reversing Trump-era policies while also moving the Democratic Party's rhetoric further left on immigration.
Current Role and Future Implications
As Vice President, Harris was tasked with tackling the root causes of migration by addressing poverty and corruption in Central America, particularly in the Northern Triangle countries. Her approach involved promoting democratic institutions and encouraging investment in those regions to create jobs, although the long-term effectiveness of these strategies remains uncertain. Critics point out that while she performed her duties adequately, the challenges of significant immigration continued to require immediate policy responses unrelated to her purview. Should she assume the presidency, Harris will need to navigate these complex immigration issues more directly, moving beyond her previous limited role and addressing a pressing concern for many voters.
As Vice President Kamala Harris moves into the final stretch of her campaign, one of the biggest issues both for voters and for Republicans attacking her is the surge of migrants crossing the southern border over the past four years.
Zolan Kanno-Youngs, who covers the White House for The Times, discusses Ms. Harris’s record on border policy.
Guest: Zolan Kanno-Youngs, a White House correspondent for The New York Times.
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