The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump have expressed their differing views on border security and immigration policies, including immigrant deportation during the 2024 presidential debate on Wednesday.
The presidential hopefuls aired contrasting opinions on these issues during the heated debate.
Kamala Harris’ Position
Harris defended the Biden administration’s recent asylum restrictions, stating that her support for a bipartisan border security bill, which included adding 1,500 border agents and resources to combat the trafficking of guns, drugs, and humans, was blocked by Trump. She argued that Trump preferred to ‘run on a problem’ rather than solve it.
She further accused Trump of misleading voters and prioritising sensationalism over substantive policy discussions.
She stated in part, “So I’m the only person on this stage who has prosecuted transnational criminal organizations for the trafficking of guns, drugs, and human beings. And let me say that the United States Congress, including some of the most conservative members of the United States Senate, came up with a border security bill which I supported. And that bill would have put 1,500 more border agents on the border to help those folks who are working there right now overtime trying to do their job. It would have allowed us to stem the flow of fentanyl coming into the United States.
“I know there are so many families watching tonight who have been personally affected by the surge of fentanyl in our country. That bill would have put more resources to allow us to prosecute transnational criminal organizations for trafficking in guns, drugs and human beings. But you know what happened to that bill? Donald Trump got on the phone, called up some folks in Congress, and said kill the bill. And you know why? Because he preferred to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem. And understand, this comes at a time where the people of our country actually need a leader who engages in solutions, who actually addresses the problems at hand.”
Donald Trump’s Stance
Trump, meanwhile, reiterated his belief that the current administration has allowed an uncontrolled influx of immigrants, which he claimed has contributed to significant societal problems.
He stated, “What they have done to our country by allowing these millions and millions of people to come into our country. And look at what’s happening to the towns all over the United States. And a lot of towns don’t want to talk – not going to be Aurora or Springfield. A lot of towns don’t want to talk about it because they’re so embarrassed by it. In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs.
“The people that came in. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what’s happening in our country. And it’s a shame. As far as rallies are concerned, as far the reason they go is they like what I say. They want to bring our country back. They want to make America great again. It’s a very simple phrase. Make America great again. She’s destroying this country. And if she becomes president, this country doesn’t have a chance of success. Not only success. We’ll end up being Venezuela on steroids.”
On his deportation plans, Trump advocated using the National Guard and local police to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, asserting that the Biden administration has allowed dangerous criminals into the country.
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