I thought Kamala cared about helping kids in cages? What happened?
Vice President Kamala Harris was tasked last month with leading efforts to address migration to the southern border, where the nation is facing what's been described as a "humanitarian crisis" amid a surge in migrants coming to the U.S.
Her assigned efforts on immigration, which include overseeing diplomatic efforts with Northern Triangle countries, fit into a broader trend of the administration delegating substantial foreign policy responsibilities to her. For example, she has held calls with major world leaders like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu.
Since the beginning of the administration and a week after Biden's announcement, Harris has fielded questions from the media but has yet to hold a formal news conference. Meanwhile, the border crisis captivated the nation's attention and raised a series of concerns about national security and the stability of the U.S. immigration system as a whole.
When Biden initially announced her appointment, he said she would be in charge of working to return migrants to their home countries.
"So this new surge we're dealing with now started with the last administration, but it's our responsibility to deal with it humanely and to – and to stop what's happening," Biden said month.
"And so, this increase has been consequential, but the vice president has agreed – among the multiple other things that I have her leading – and I appreciate it – agreed to lead our diplomatic effort and work with those nations to accept re- – the returnees, and enhance migration enforcement at their borders – at their borders."
The White House later attempted to claim that Harris wasn't involved with the "border crisis," but was instead focused on addressing the "root causes – not the border." Regardless, returnees include individuals who make contact with U.S. authorities at the southern border, as well as others who are returned while traveling through other countries.
According to a new report, a majority of voters don't approve of Biden's handling of the border.
President Joe Biden’s handling of unaccompanied children arriving at the border is opposed by more people than those who believe he is doing a good job managing the surge, according to a new poll that highlights how the issue is overshadowing his first months in office.
It comes as preliminary arrest numbers at the U.S.-Mexico border reveal the highest monthly level in more than 20 years, with agents apprehending more than 180,000 migrants.
The Biden administration is avoiding using the term “crisis” to describe the influx, but a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll reveals the damage done to a president who promised a more humane immigration policy.
The poll found that 40% of respondents disapproved of Biden’s handling of children who arrive at the border without parents, compared with 24% who approve.
“Most Americans think reuniting parents and children who were separated at the border and providing safe treatment to these unaccompanied children should be high priorities for the federal government,” the survey concluded. “About half say increased security at the U.S.-Mexico border should be a key concern for Biden’s immigration agenda.”
Some 59% said providing safe treatment for unaccompanied children should be a high priority. Almost two-thirds said reuniting families should also be a high priority.
ROMA TEXAS - MARCH 28: A group of migrants are processed by Border Patrol agents upon arrival in the United States after crossing the Rio Grande in a raft guided by Mexican smugglers on March 28, 2021 in Roma, Texas. The group made up of individuals from mostly Central America turned themselves into the United States Border Patrol after crossing as they seek asylum in the United States. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)