Washington, D.C. – Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a gathering of Hispanic leaders on Wednesday, asserting that the U.S. can both secure its borders and offer a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Why This Matters: Immigrant advocates are concerned that Harris’ recent, stricter stance on border policy, perceived by some as aligning with more conservative views, may signal a temporary shift rather than a permanent change, as noted by Axios’ Alex Thompson.
Earlier this year, some members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus criticized the Biden administration’s support for a bill that aimed to restrict asylum claims. Although the bill was blocked in the Senate, Harris has committed to signing it if it is reintroduced and passed during her potential presidency.
Key Points: During her speech at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s annual leadership conference in Washington, Harris highlighted the administration’s efforts to broaden healthcare access for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which benefits immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children.
Harris emphasized the possibility of achieving both a secure border and a pathway to citizenship. “We can do both and we must do both,” she declared. She criticized former President Donald Trump and his allies for their past policies that, in her view, harmed immigrant families and pledged to counter their proposed mass deportations.
In her address, Harris also spoke about her personal background, her commitment to supporting middle-class families, and her stance on abortion rights. She noted that 40% of Latinas live in states with abortion bans and highlighted the challenges faced by mothers needing to travel out of state for care.
Broader Context: Latino voters are a vital and growing demographic that could influence the outcome of the November 5 election, particularly in key states like Arizona and Nevada. Despite gaining substantial support from Latino voters as a former California Attorney General, recent polls indicate that Harris needs to secure a stronger foothold in these crucial states to enhance her chances in the upcoming election.
