As Vice President Kamala Harris visits the U.S.-Mexico border today, she faces growing criticism from families who have been affected by crimes linked to illegal immigrants. Among the most vocal is Alexis Nungaray of Houston, who lost her daughter in a murder allegedly committed by two men from Venezuela. Nungaray has expressed frustration over the Vice President’s trip to Southern Arizona, calling it a “slap in the face” to families like hers who have suffered because of the ongoing border crisis.
Nungaray claims that the administration’s immigration policies, which she refers to as an “open border” approach, allowed the two men into the country, leading to her daughter’s death. “If this administration had done its job and closed the border, my daughter would still be alive today,” she said in an emotional statement. Nungaray also criticized Harris for never reaching out to her or other families impacted by crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, despite Harris’s role as the administration’s “Border Czar.”
The Vice President’s visit to Southern Arizona comes as part of her broader campaign efforts and coincides with increasing scrutiny of the Biden administration’s handling of border security. Harris has used her trip to highlight the sharp contrasts between her policies and those of former President Donald Trump, who has made immigration and border security a cornerstone of his political platform. Harris pointedly blamed Trump for blocking a bipartisan deal during his time in office, a proposal that she claims could have significantly curbed illegal border crossings.
“If elected, I will reintroduce that deal and ensure that we have a humane and secure border that works for everyone,” Harris stated during her visit. Her remarks, however, have done little to assuage the concerns of families like the Nungarays, who believe that the administration has failed to prioritize border security.
Critics of Harris’s trip argue that the administration’s immigration policies have created dangerous conditions for American citizens, with many families affected by violent crimes committed by individuals who have entered the country illegally. Harris’s opponents have used these tragic stories as evidence of what they describe as the administration’s failure to enforce strict immigration controls.
In response to the criticism, Harris’s team has pointed to the administration’s efforts to balance security with the humane treatment of migrants. However, for families like the Nungarays, the pain of losing a loved one to violent crime remains central to their frustration with current border policies. “I want action, not a photo op,” Nungaray said, underscoring the anger and disillusionment many feel regarding the ongoing crisis at the southern border.
As the Vice President’s border visit continues to attract national attention, the political divide over immigration is once again front and center. The ongoing debate is likely to intensify as the 2024 election approaches, with both sides leveraging the issue to appeal to their respective bases.
