Tue Sep 10 17:08:39 UTC 2024: ## Trump to Target Harris on Immigration in Debate, Allies Misrepresent Her Role

Former President Donald Trump is expected to attack Vice President Kamala Harris for her record on immigration during Tuesday’s debate, according to sources familiar with the campaign strategy. Trump’s allies are emphasizing Harris’s past views on immigration, dubbing her the “border czar,” and claiming she failed to secure the border. However, these criticisms are misinterpreting the actual task assigned to Harris.

President Biden appointed Harris in 2021 to lead a diplomatic effort to curb migration from the “Northern Triangle” countries – Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador – by addressing the root causes of migration. This involves working to improve economic conditions and reduce violence in the region. This effort, while impactful, has been more focused on long-term solutions rather than immediate border security.

Despite the narrow focus of her role, some media outlets referred to Harris as the “border czar,” a term subsequently adopted by Republicans to criticize her. However, border security is under the purview of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Harris’s work has focused on fostering private sector investment in the region, which has created 250,000 jobs. While the impact of her efforts is difficult to measure in the short term, data shows that migration levels from the three Northern Triangle countries have decreased since Harris’s assignment began.

Harris has faced criticism for her “do not come” message to potential migrants and her initial reluctance to visit the border. However, she has defended her position, emphasizing her focus on long-term solutions rather than immediate border security measures.

While Trump and his allies aim to highlight Harris’s record on immigration as a point of attack, her work on the issue has focused on a complex and nuanced approach that seeks to address the root causes of migration, a long-term strategy with significant impact on the region.

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