Kamala Harris: Actions and Inactions on Immigration and the Border
Examining the comprehensive work of Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, in the sphere of immigration and border control provides a detailed insight into her initiatives, policy directions, and the aspects where there were some lapses or room for improvement.
To begin with, it’s worth assessing Harris’s role in promoting comprehensive immigration reform. During her tenure as the Senator from California, Harris’s initiative transformed the H-4 visa system by successfully advocating for a rule change that permits spouses of certain visa holders to work in the U.S. This action came against the backdrop of a previous regulation that limited these visa holders from job access, an issue that Harris recognized as a deterrent to family unity, economic growth, and humanitarian considerations.
Furthermore, Harris illuminated her commitment to supporting immigrants through her unwavering defense of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. She actively opposed the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the program, standing firm on the necessity to protect the immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children, commonly referred to as Dreamers. Harris saw their potential to contribute positively to the American societal fabric and supported efforts to grant them a clear pathway to citizenship.
However, her role in immigration reform encounters criticisms for what she did not do as well. One notable issue is the absence of any substantial action to address the concerns arising from H-1B visas – a visa in the United States that allows U.S employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. Despite her focus on improving the immigration conditions for many individuals, Harris has not addressed the loopholes that could potentially facilitate the exploitation of workers under the H-1B category.
Moreover, her relatively reserved stance on border security raises several eyebrows. Even though Harris placed significant emphasis on humane treatment of immigrants and reforming the process of detention and deportation under ICE, there’s a lack of her direct involvement in enhancing border control or managing the migration crisis at the southern border.
On a similar note, Harris’s position on abolishing ICE is somewhat ambiguous. While the Vice President defended the existence of ICE on the grounds of national security, critics assert that this might contradict Harris’s stated commitment to radical immigration reform and the protection of immigrant rights.
In the same vein, as Vice President, Harris’s handling of the border crisis has been called into question. Notably, she faced significant backlash for her late visit to the southern border amid the 2021 migration surge, which led to doubts about the urgency and priority accorded to managing the immigration and border crisis in her administrative responsibilities.
All in all, Kamala Harris has exhibited a forward-thinking approach towards comprehensive immigration reform during her years as a Senator. However, the breadth of immigration issues necessitates a more balanced focus on fringe issues like H-1B visas and diligent handling of situations like the ongoing border crisis. Ultimately, comprehensive immigration reform efforts must be inclusive and account for the multiplicity of problems immigrants and the U.S. border control system face.