Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday pushed back against recent criticism of the Biden administration's handling of immigration and border control in an interview that aired on 60 Minutes. Harris told the interviewer she was aware of the hard conditions at the U.S.-Mexico border, of course, the humanitarian issue, but added "we're trying to balance it with elevating national security and opening legal paths so people don't have to take a dangerous path.". She then addressed the criticism by Republicans over the administration's handling of the border, saying policies work in successfully managing the border while being compassionate toward migrants. Harris added they were working on solutions that dealt with root causes of migration coming from Central America.
Harris emphasized that, when feasible, the administration's goal is to ensure individuals will not need to leave their homelands in the first place; she identified poverty, violence, and instability as major drivers of migration. The Vice President said this long-term approach remains vital for decreasing the number of migrants trying to enter the U.S. through other means than legal entry.
The Vice President also responded to the claims that the administration has made border security policies increase illegal crossings. She said the administration was committed to making sure the U.S. border is secure while simultaneously working to reform immigration policies that provide clear, legal pathways for those seeking asylum or work opportunities. Harris framed the approach as both practical and humane.
Harris has worked to push back against a Republican critique that Biden's immigration policies are too lax. She said the U.S. must continue to be a country that welcomes refugees while taking the law seriously. She added that the administration is updating the immigration process in order to cut backlogs and make sure cases get processed faster. Harris pointed to those efforts as a sign that the administration is sincere about the rule of law, as well as about protecting the vulnerable.
The humanitarian perspective, therefore, outshines this U.S.-Mexico border crisis. Among other things, Harris made it clear that many migrants arriving at the border are fleeing unimaginable conditions, and turning them away without due process would be both inhumane and against American values. She further emphasized that the administration is committed to handling asylum claims in a fair and efficient manner.
Immigration will continue to be one of the key points with the forthcoming election in 2024, and this interview with Harris really shows how the Biden administration tries to address thrown criticism while pressing on with national security and humanitarian efforts. Harris's defense of the administration's policies underlines the balancing act between compassion and enforcement that the administration is trying to keep as part of a greater immigration strategy.
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