A social media post has misrepresented comments made by Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, regarding the U.S.-Mexico border wall. The post, which includes a brief video clip, inaccurately suggests that Walz intends to assist migrants in illegally crossing the border.
The clip in question is from a July 30, 2024, episode of CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360," aired just over a week before Walz was announced as Kamala Harris' running mate on August 6. In the 14-second excerpt, Walz is heard saying:
"If he talks about this wall. I always say, let me know how high it is. If it's 25 feet, then I'll invest in the 30-foot ladder factory. That's not how you stop this."
However, this statement was taken out of context. The full interview reveals that Walz was actually criticizing the effectiveness of a physical wall as a means to curb illegal immigration.
Following the quoted segment, Walz elaborated on his stance:
"You stop this using electronics. You stop it using more border control agents and you stop it by having a legal system that allows for that tradition of allowing folks to come here, just like my relatives did, to come here, be able to work and establish the American dream."
This complete statement demonstrates that Walz was advocating for a comprehensive approach to border security, including technology, increased personnel, and immigration reform. His comment about the ladder factory was a rhetorical device to illustrate the potential futility of a physical wall.
It's worth noting that the U.S.-Mexico border spans approximately 1,954 miles, and as of 2021, about 458 miles of border wall had been constructed or replaced. Border Patrol agents utilize various technologies, including cameras, sensors, and drones, for surveillance.
The Harris-Walz campaign has not immediately responded to requests for comment on this matter. However, campaign staffers have indicated that Harris is adopting a firmer stance on illegal immigration to address one of Donald Trump's key campaign issues.
The U.S. immigration system is complex, with legal immigration primarily based on family reunification, employment, and humanitarian protection. The country admits approximately 1 million legal immigrants annually, while also grappling with a backlog of over 1.3 million cases in the immigration court system as of 2021.
In conclusion, the social media post misrepresents Walz's stance on border security by sharing his comments without proper context. A comprehensive fact-check reveals that his full statement advocated for a multi-faceted approach to immigration control, rather than supporting illegal border crossings.