Vice President Kamala Harris visited the southern border, reigniting a long-standing debate about her role as "border czar" and Biden-Harris immigration policies. Arriving just weeks before the 2024 election, Harris's appearance in Arizona drew widespread criticism. Many reactions included some version of the sentiment too little, too late.
MOLLIE HEMINGWAY: “This border trip today happened at the WORST possible time for [Kamala], given the other news that came out — that her administration allowed nearly half a MILLION criminals, MANY of them violent criminals — to just be in the country and roaming FREELY.” pic.twitter.com/6Q8QIRcxuy
76% of voters perceive her visit as politically motivated and a "last-ditch effort" to appeal to voters who are increasingly angry.
Harris's border visit just weeks before the election raises red flags for many. After spending nearly four years avoiding the border as “border czar,” many view the untimely visit as empty and politically motivated.
Most Americans view the trip to Douglas, AZ, as clearly designed to pander for votes over an issue the Harris campaign is losing on. The timing makes the visit appear even more performative as a photo op than a sincere attempt to fix an issue which Harris has failed to address for years.
Kamala Harris was on the border for less than 20 minutes yesterday.
For many, Harris’s visit is both suspiciously timed and a slap in the face to millions of Americans who have been outraged about the Biden-Harris administration’s refusal to address citizen concerns and protect the country.
Following her border visit, national sentiment toward Harris regarding the border moved very little, increasing from 39% the day before to 42% the day after.
However, in Arizona, Harris’s sentiment was more significantly impacted, dropping from 49% a week ago to 33% today.
Harris’s overall sentiment in Arizona dropped from 44% a week ago to 42% today.
A Record of Neglect and Failure
MIG Reports data shows:
67% of voters distrust Harris’s motivations and approach to border security.
Disbelief about the sincerity of Harris’s overtures at the border springs from outrage at her track record—or lack thereof—on border security. Since taking office in 2021, Harris has been truant in her task of managing immigration and the border. Illegal crossings have been at all-time highs in the last several years.
Recent reports from ICE reveal the Biden-Harris administration has overseen 13,099 murderers and 15,811 rapists within a larger 425,431 convicted criminals entering the U.S. illegally.
🚨🚨BREAKING: According to a new report from the Deputy Director of ICE, Joe Biden and Border Czar Kamala Harris allowed a SHOCKING number of criminals into America, including:
One of the most recurring accusations voters make against the Biden-Harris administration is the rollback of "Remain in Mexico" and other stringent Trump-era immigration policies. Among border communities, conservatives, moderates, and some Democrats is the belief that Harris intentionally left the border wide open, allowing dangerous criminals to enter. Voters see Harris’s policies as fostering lawlessness, further eroding confidence in the Democratic Party’s ability to manage immigration.
Cartel Trafficking, Rising Crime, and Safety
Voters often mention the tangible impacts Harris’s policies have had on crime rates, both along the border and within American communities. People criticize sharp increases in migrant crime and the fentanyl and larger drug crisis perpetuated by Mexican cartels under the Biden-Harris administration.
67% of voters link rising crime rates directly to Harris’s border policies.
77% favor stricter border policies and support reinstating Trump-era policies.
60% express preference for Donald Trump’s leadership on immigration.
In areas hardest hit by illegal immigration, voters are increasingly vocal about the lack of accountability and action from Washington. Many feel abandoned, left to deal with the fallout from policies that seem more focused on humanitarian optics than protecting American citizens.
Media Complicity in Border Gaslighting
Negativity about the Biden-Harris border is compounded by voter frustration toward media coverage. Many voters believe mainstream media willfully refuses to report the severity of the border crisis—particularly when it comes to crime statistics and cartel activity.
68% of voters accuse the media of underreporting or downplaying the immigration crisis.
Americans view the media as complicit in shaping a narrative favorable to the administration. Many voters choose alternative news sources for information on platforms like X, knowing the media will not report the reality of the situation.
What Does This Mean for the 2024 Election?
Sentiment about border security and the number of illegal immigrants flooding American communities is likely to play a pivotal role in the presidential election. Harris’s track record on the border is both a black mark on her vice-presidential record and a major liability for the Democratic Party.
If voters continue to feel highly motivated by border issues, it will likely play a role in deciding votes in November. Trump’s focus on law and order and his track record of reducing illegal crossings will likely resonate with voters who feel betrayed by Harris and her lax policies. Harris’s border visit rings insincere to many, coming too late to reverse the tide of public opinion.
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