Washington, D.C. — Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the ongoing challenges within the U.S. immigration system during a rare interview with Fox News on Wednesday, describing the system as “broken” and in urgent need of reform. The vice president’s comments came during a sit-down with Bret Baier, a popular anchor on the Republican-leaning news channel. The discussion quickly escalated into a contentious back-and-forth as Baier pressed Harris on the Biden administration’s handling of immigration, particularly its reversal of several Trump-era policies.
“The point is that we have a broken immigration system that needs to be repaired,” Harris stated during the interview. Despite interruptions from Baier, she emphasized that her administration has prioritized addressing the systemic issues from the start.
Tensions Emerge over Immigration Numbers
During the interview, Baier highlighted the controversial nature of the administration’s decisions on immigration, particularly the release of immigrants into the U.S. as they await legal proceedings. “It’s a rough estimate that 6 million people have been released into the country,” Baier interrupted, questioning the administration’s approach to border security.
The Fox News anchor zeroed in on the Biden administration’s decision to reverse the “Remain in Mexico” policy, a Trump-era directive requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until their immigration court dates. Baier pointed out that under the Biden administration, this policy change led to the release of individuals from custody while they awaited trial.
“When you came into office, your administration immediately reversed a number of Trump border policies,” Baier asserted. “Most significantly, the policy that required illegal immigrants to be detained through deportation, either in the U.S. or in Mexico. And you switched that policy. They were… released from custody awaiting trial. So instead, included in those were a large number of single men, adult men, who went on to commit heinous crimes. So looking back, do you regret the decision to terminate Remain in Mexico at the beginning of your administration?”
Harris Defends Policy Choices, Stresses Reform Efforts
Harris responded by defending the administration’s decision, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive immigration reform bill, which was introduced shortly after President Joe Biden took office.
“At the beginning of our administration, within practically hours of taking the oath, the first bill, practically within hours of taking the oath, was a bill to fix our immigration system,” Harris said. She noted that the administration had recognized from “day one” that immigration reform was a critical issue for the American public.
While Baier continued to interject, Harris explained that the administration had taken multiple steps to address the situation. “We have done a number of things, including to address our asylum system and put more resources, getting more judges, what we needed to do to tighten up penalties and increase penalties for illegal crossings, what we needed to do to deal with points of entry between border, entry points,” she elaborated.
Border Security and the Fight Against Fentanyl
The vice president also discussed bipartisan efforts to enhance border security, particularly the introduction of a border bill that had support from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. According to Harris, the bill would have bolstered border security by adding 1,500 more agents and helping to combat the flow of fentanyl into the country—a drug that has caused a surge in overdose deaths across the U.S.
“We worked on supporting what was a bipartisan effort, including some of the most conservative members of the United States Congress, to actually strengthen the border,” Harris said. “That border bill would have put 1,500 more border agents at the border, which is why I believe the Border Patrol agents supported the bill.”
She emphasized the importance of addressing the influx of fentanyl, which has become a major public health crisis in the U.S., affecting communities across the country. “It would have allowed us to stem the flow of fentanyl coming into the United States, which is a scourge affecting people of every background, every geographic location in our country, killing people,” Harris stressed.
Harris Accuses Trump of Sabotaging Bipartisan Bill
In a pointed moment during the interview, Harris accused former President Donald Trump of undermining efforts to pass the border bill, which she claimed could have helped address some of the pressing issues at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Donald Trump learned about that bill and told them to kill it because he preferred to, instead of fixing a problem,” Harris alleged. The vice president suggested that Trump’s decision was motivated by political strategy rather than a genuine desire to solve the immigration crisis.
Election Stakes Loom Large
With the midterm elections just 20 days away, Harris framed the upcoming vote as a pivotal moment for the future of U.S. immigration policy. She argued that the results of the election would determine whether the country would continue to move forward on solving complex issues like immigration or revert to policies that she believes are counterproductive.
“This election in 20 days will determine whether we have a president of the United States who actually cares more about fixing a problem, even if it is not to their political advantage in an election, because there was a solution,” Harris said, pointing to the stakes of the upcoming vote.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Immigration Reform
As the interview concluded, Harris reiterated the administration’s commitment to immigration reform, stating that the Biden administration is focused on finding solutions that address both the humanitarian and security aspects of the issue. The vice president noted that while progress has been made, there is still a long road ahead in repairing the nation’s immigration system.
“We recognized from day one that it is a priority for us as a nation and for the American people,” Harris said. “Our focus has been on fixing a problem.”
Despite the heated nature of the discussion, Harris remained firm in her stance that the administration’s approach to immigration is rooted in a desire to create a fair and efficient system that prioritizes both security and the humane treatment of migrants. Whether this approach will resonate with voters in the upcoming elections remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: immigration will continue to be a defining issue in U.S. politics for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance on Fox News provided a glimpse into the Biden administration’s stance on immigration reform and its ongoing challenges. In a tense exchange with anchor Bret Baier, Harris defended the administration’s policies while stressing the urgent need for a bipartisan solution to the nation’s “broken” immigration system. As the midterm elections approach, the debate over immigration is likely to intensify, with both sides offering starkly different visions for the future of U.S. border policy.
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