Eviralnews, In her first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 elections, Kamala Harris announced plans to implement stricter measures for accepting immigrants. Speaking in Douglas, Arizona, a border town with a population of fewer than 17,000, Harris emphasized the need for more stringent regulations surrounding asylum requests and illegal border crossings, while also addressing the ongoing fentanyl crisis affecting the United States.
Harris’s visit comes amid heightened scrutiny from her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, who has accused her of inciting fear and division regarding immigration issues. The Biden administration has faced criticism over the apprehension of approximately 7 million migrants crossing the border illegally during its tenure, further fueling Republican attacks on Harris and President Biden’s immigration policies.
Immigration remains a pivotal issue for American voters, particularly in Arizona—a key battleground state with a significant Latino population from both parties. The southern U.S. border continues to be a major entry point for fentanyl, contributing to a growing crisis of substance abuse across the nation.
During her address, Harris proposed harsher penalties for individuals who illegally cross U.S. borders and expressed support for a ban on asylum applications for those entering the country unlawfully. This aligns with legislation enacted earlier this year by President Biden that significantly curtailed illegal immigration.
I will take further actions to keep our borders secure,” Harris stated. “Individuals who cross our borders illegally will be apprehended and barred from re-entering the U.S. for five years.”
She highlighted plans to impose stricter criminal charges against repeat offenders of immigration laws. If someone fails to file an asylum request at legal entry points and crosses illegally, they will be prohibited from applying for asylum altogether.
Rejecting the notion that the U.S. must choose between securing its borders and establishing a humane immigration system, Harris asserted, “We can and must do both.”
Harris also criticized Trump for obstructing bipartisan efforts aimed at enhancing border security and curbing fentanyl trafficking into the U.S. A bill that would have allocated resources for hiring 1,500 additional border agents and increasing technological capabilities to detect drugs was blocked by Trump after he pressured his party members against it.
The Democratic nominee pledged to revive this legislation, which aims to bolster border security by employing more agents and implementing advanced drug detection technologies.
In contrast, Trump has recently vowed to initiate widespread deportations of Haitian immigrants living legally in Springfield, Ohio, claiming they pose a threat to national security. His remarks came after controversial social media posts suggested that Haitian migrants were engaging in criminal activities.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration extended temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of Haitian migrants in the U.S., allowing them to work legally as Haiti grapples with severe food insecurity and civil unrest.
In June, President Biden took decisive action by prohibiting asylum for migrants entering illegally from Mexico—a move that has drawn sharp criticism yet resulted in a notable decrease in illegal crossings.
The U.S. Senate introduced a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year that allocated $20 billion for enhanced border security measures. However, due to political pressures from Trump and his allies, this bill has remained stagnant.
Both the presidents of the U.S. and Mexico have indicated their intentions to enforce stricter measures regarding illegal immigration along their shared borders. The issue of undocumented migrants attempting to enter the U.S. has emerged as a critical challenge for Biden’s administration as it approaches the November elections.
As Biden prepares for his re-election campaign, he has adopted a tougher stance on border security—an issue that resonates deeply with American voters concerned about illegal immigration.
Recently, J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, announced plans to deport one million immigrants upon taking office if they win the election. Trump has repeatedly promised that his administration would initiate one of the largest waves of deportations in U.S. history if he is re-elected.
Concerns over immigration policies have become a focal point in this year’s election campaigns. Republicans have consistently criticized Biden’s handling of immigration issues as well as the influx of undocumented migrants crossing into the U.S., especially as Election Day approaches.
Recent Bloomberg polls indicate that Kamala Harris holds a slight edge over Donald Trump in six battleground states while being tied in one state. According to these polls conducted jointly by Bloomberg and Morning Consult, Harris leads by 7% in Nevada, 5% in Pennsylvania, and 3% in Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin—while being tied in Georgia.
Overall, across seven competitive states, Harris maintains a 3% lead among likely voters—an increase from her previous polling results last month.
New Reuters/Ipsos polls also show Harris leading Trump with 47% support compared to Trump’s 40% ahead of the November 5 election.
While national polling results provide insights into voter sentiment, state-level electoral outcomes will ultimately determine the winner—especially in pivotal battleground states where both candidates are neck-and-neck.
The presidential election is scheduled for November 5.
