In a recent town-hall meeting, the Vice President, Kamala Harris, defended the policies of the Biden-Harris administration in regards to the immigration issue that has seen countless individuals crossing America’s borders. The host brought attention to numerous unsuccessful border strategies and the migration bill that wasn’t passed, even though the Democrats controlled both legislative bodies during the administration’s beginning two years. In response, Kamala Harris cited the administration’s commitment to making correct decisions, even in challenging circumstances.
In the course of the conversation, attention was drawn to an executive order put into effect earlier this summer. This order, designed to offer some level of remedy for the critical situation on the southern border, raised questions. One notable enquiry came from the event’s host, who asked why such an action wasn’t taken earlier, specifically in 2022 or 2023.
Kamala Harris promptly addressed this query, affirming that the situation has seen considerable improvement. ‘To clarify, you’re right on point, and as of now, we have succeeded in reducing the flow of immigration by more than fifty percent,’ said Harris. However, she was once again asked why the executive action, which appeared to be significantly effective, wasn’t taken earlier.
The Vice President justified the delay, explaining the administration’s strategy. ‘The reason being, we were engaged with Congress in the hopes of arriving at a long-term solution, rather than a temporary quick-fix,’ Harris explicated. Though, this explanation didn’t satisfy the host entirely, who continued to probe for more details.
Swiftly, the conversation shifted focus again as the host quizzed Harris: ‘Wouldn’t it have been possible to manage both simultaneously?’ The pressure was on, questioning the integrity of the decisions previously made. Kamala Harris offered a deflection of this scrutiny, pointing out that the true stumbling block in this situation was Congress.
Kamala Harris then emphasized, largely implying that the woes surrounding the border crisis should largely be attributed to the inadequate support and failure of Congress. Directly or indirectly, the hint was clear—the choices made by the administration were influenced by the Congressional proceedings at the time.
But the host wasn’t done grilling just yet. ‘Do you think you should have enacted those executive orders in 2022, 2023?’ the host queried, framing the question as a matter of regret or introspection, rather than a query about the efficiency of the administration’s decisions.
Kamala Harris offered a defense in her rebuttal: ‘I consider our course of action was appropriate.’ The vice president expressed confidence in the actions and decisions of the administration, thus, reinforcing its stance on the challenging issue of immigration. By anchoring on the perspective of having made the correct decisions, Harris portrayed the administration as committed to hard choices for longer-term outcomes.
The town hall meeting not only served as a stage for discussion but also highlighted the difficulties and pressures faced by those in power. It brought to the forefront the complicated and evolving nature of the immigration issue, and the efforts of the Biden-Harris administration in grappling with this complex challenge.
While the host’s hardball questions highlighted the perceived missteps, the discussion moved beyond blame. Instead, it became a conversation about process, responsibility, and most importantly—long-term thinking and planning. Kamala Harris emphasized that efforts were not solely directed at immediate problems, but also at developing sustainable solutions.
Despite the unremitting pressure throughout the town hall, Harris remained steadfast in her defense of the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of immigration. She championed their commitment to working with Congress to promote sustainable, beneficial reforms—even as critics questioned the timing of their actions and the lack of an immigration bill.
CNN’s Cooper presses Kamala on why she didn’t use an executive order to stop the illegal immigration crisis earlier
She claims that it was because they wanted Congress to work
He asks if she wishes they took action earlier, she says they did the right thing by not doing it pic.twitter.com/ZjOaJaW8rz
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) October 24, 2024