Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been critical of Vice President Kamala Harris’ role as “border czar,” claiming she has “failed miserably” at her job. In an interview with CBS News, Abbott said that if Harris were to become president, it would encourage more illegal immigration to the United States, which is a major concern for Texas.
Abbott also criticized Harris for previous comments she made about decriminalizing border crossings and advocating for free health care for undocumented migrants. He argued that these statements are acting as a magnet for more undocumented immigrants to enter the United States illegally.
President Joe Biden appointed Kamala Harris in March 2021 to address the causes of illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border and work with Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries to help stem the migration flow. However, her role has become a central point of attack from Republicans as she runs for president.
Abbott has previously targeted Harris by dropping off busloads of migrants on her front lawn at the vice president’s official residence at the Naval Observatory. During an overseas trip to Guatemala in June 2021, Harris told migrants “do not come” to the United States; however, this statement was followed by a surge in migration across the southern border with record-breaking numbers of undocumented immigrants.
Former President Donald Trump has also taken aim at Harris for allowing millions of undocumented immigrants into the country and for the rise in “migrant crime.” In June 2021, Trump’s vice presidential pick JD Vance focused on Harris’ role as “border czar” while touring a smuggling route in Cochise County, Arizona.
While serving as the White House point person on migration, Harris made a single visit to the southern border in El Paso, Texas; however, sources at The Post reported that her experience was “rushed” and “sanitized,” with agents clearing out migrants before her arrival.
