In a strategic move that has surprised many voters and analysts alike, Kamala Harris‘ presidential campaign is running ads describing her as a tough-on-border security.
The ad claims, “As vice president, she backed the toughest border control bill in decades. And as president, she will hire thousands more border agents and crack down on fentanyl and human trafficking.”
In response, Republicans point out Harris’ infamous tenure as the “Border Czar”, which was widely-graded as a complete failure. Conservative group NumbersUSA gave Harris an F- grade on immigration and border security during her term as a U.S. Senator.
Harris’ move to the center on the border could be a tough sell to swing voters.
“Her time as the nation’s “border czar” is largely responsible for the administration’s immigration policies,’ said NumbersUSA. The group also says morale among border patrol agents is low. Since October 2020, more than 4,000 federal agents have left the Border Patrol, and more border agents have chosen to take early retirement under Biden-Harris than during the Obama and Trump administrations combined.
Another strain on border agents is being understaffed for the illegals allowed to enter the U.S. under the Biden administration.
Law enforcement at the border is seeing a shortage of officers. Jim Pasco, with the National Fraternal Order of Police says Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) notes that CBP is experiencing the same problems other law enforcement groups have endured with police shortages and retention.
In congressional hearings, CBP has testified that under the Biden administration, they have asked for staffing increases, including immigration judge teams at the Department of Justice, asylum officers at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and deportation officers at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
