Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit Douglas, Arizona, a town situated on the U.S.-Mexico border, on September 29, 2024. This visit marks a significant milestone as it represents her first border trip since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. The White House announced this planned visit on September 25, 2024, highlighting its importance in the context of ongoing immigration debates.
Douglas, founded in 1901 and named after mining pioneer James Douglas, is one of many towns along the 1,954-mile U.S.-Mexico border. The town is home to the historic Gadsden Hotel, built in 1907, which stands as a testament to the area's rich history.
Harris, who made history in 2021 as the first female, first African American, and first Asian American vice president, previously visited the border in 2021. This upcoming visit comes at a crucial time, with the November 5, 2024, presidential election on the horizon.
Immigration has long been a contentious issue in U.S. politics. The U.S. Border Patrol, established in 1924, has grown to employ over 20,000 agents as of 2024. The Department of Homeland Security, created in 2002 following the 9/11 attacks, oversees border security along with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), formed in 2003.
Harris's Republican rival, Donald Trump, has consistently emphasized illegal immigration as a key campaign issue. Trump's 2016 campaign prominently featured promises to construct a border wall, echoing earlier efforts like the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which authorized additional border fencing.
In an August 2024 interview with CNN, Harris expressed her intention to renew efforts for comprehensive border legislation, emphasizing the need to "enforce our laws" regarding border crossings. This stance reflects the ongoing challenges in U.S. immigration policy, which has seen numerous reform attempts over the decades.
Historical context is crucial in understanding the current immigration debate. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 granted amnesty to approximately 3 million undocumented immigrants, while the Hart-Celler Act of 1965 eliminated national origin quotas. More recent proposals, such as the DREAM Act, first introduced in 2001, have faced repeated challenges in Congress.
The concept of "sanctuary cities," which emerged in the 1980s to protect Central American refugees, remains a point of contention. Additionally, the E-Verify system, established in 1996 to check employment eligibility, continues to play a role in immigration enforcement efforts.
As the U.S. grapples with these complex issues, it's worth noting that the country has also responded to international crises, admitting over 25,000 Afghan refugees following the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Harris's visit to Douglas comes against this backdrop of historical policies and current challenges, underscoring the ongoing importance of immigration in U.S. political discourse.
"We will enforce our laws"
This statement reflects the administration's stance on maintaining border security while working towards comprehensive immigration reform. As the election approaches, the border visit and Harris's policy positions are likely to remain under scrutiny from both supporters and critics alike.