Critics argue that Vice President Kamala Harris has not adequately addressed immigration issues since being tasked with the assignment in March 2021. Despite signing agreements and securing funding in Mexico and Central America, Harris has not visited the southern border or the countries to its south since January 2022. While her “Root Causes Strategy” led to $4 billion in direct assistance and over $5.2 billion in private-public investments from the U.S., there have been no new financial commitments made under her watch.
Criticism from immigration groups and the Border Patrol union suggest that Harris has not delivered on her immigration-related assignments and has largely focused on diplomatic responsibilities. While administration officials defend Harris’ work as ongoing and impactful, others question the effectiveness of her efforts. The decline in immigration from Central American countries since 2021 is attributed to a variety of factors beyond Harris’ work, such as U.S. asylum policies and increased Mexican interdictions of migrants.
Despite these criticisms, Harris continues to lead the effort to address the root causes of migration from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to providing $4 billion to the region over four years and working to combat corruption, reduce violence, and empower women. While some question the impact of Harris’ work in addressing immigration issues, others believe that her focus on private-sector investments and diplomatic efforts have contributed positively to the situation in Central America.
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