Former President Donald Trump intensified his critique of Kamala Harris on border security during a recent campaign stop, attempting to leverage immigration as a key vulnerability for his election opponent. Trump’s swing-state strategy is proving to focus heavily on the contentious issue of illegal immigration, where his tough stance contrasts with what many view as a more lenient approach by the Biden-Harris administration.
During his latest speech, Trump zeroed in on Harris’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, reminding his supporters of his administration’s focus on border security and his construction of portions of the border wall. He stated, “When Kamala Harris goes to the border, she’ll pass by hundreds of miles of the wall we built. It’s a wall that really works.”
His comments follow Harris’s scheduled visit to Arizona, her first to the border since becoming the Democratic nominee. Trump and his supporters immediately pounced on this, characterizing it as a desperate attempt to salvage her reputation on the issue. Multiple Trump supporters dismissed Harris’s upcoming trip, calling it a “publicity stunt” meant to sway voters rather than address any real policy concerns.
Trump’s focus on immigration comes as illegal border crossings have significantly increased over the past four years, a fact he attributes directly to Harris’s role as President Biden’s “border czar.” Despite Harris’s efforts to highlight more recent steps taken by the administration to secure the border, such as attempts at bipartisan reform and tightening asylum regulations, Trump has been quick to paint these measures as too little, too late.
Polls show that border security remains a top issue for many voters, especially in battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, where immigration is now tied with abortion as the second most pressing concern behind the economy. A recent New York Times-Siena poll indicated that voters in these states believe Trump is more likely to effectively manage border security than Harris.
Trump’s campaign appears to be betting on this divide, as his rallies increasingly emphasize his administration’s record on immigration. The former president has accused Harris of neglecting her responsibilities as the vice president tasked with overseeing the border. He cited rising crime and drug trafficking as direct consequences of the current administration’s policies.
Harris, on the other hand, has tried to counter these criticisms by touting the administration’s immigration reforms, including tighter asylum restrictions and proposals to streamline legal pathways for immigrants. However, her ability to defend the administration’s handling of the issue has been complicated by ongoing challenges at the border.
Republican lawmakers have also chimed in, expressing doubt that Harris will be able to enact any meaningful changes if elected. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) suggested that the current political climate makes significant bipartisan immigration reform unlikely, particularly if Harris wins the presidency. “We have no optimism that a President Harris would handle the border any differently than Biden,” Lankford said.
For Trump, keeping immigration front and center in his campaign is a calculated move. With swing-state voters increasingly concerned about border security, Trump hopes that his tough-on-immigration message will resonate more than Harris’s attempts to defend the administration’s record. His team has taken particular interest in swing-state polling, where voters appear to be leaning towards Trump on issues of national security, including immigration.
Harris’s upcoming visit to the border will likely be closely scrutinized by both sides. Supporters of Trump have already begun casting doubt on the sincerity of her trip, with some viewing it as a reaction to Trump’s pressure. As one Georgia voter at a recent Trump rally put it, “She’s been the vice president for four years and hasn’t done anything. Now, all of a sudden, she’s going to the border because it’s an election year.”
Both campaigns are aware that immigration will be a decisive factor in the 2024 election, particularly in key swing states where the margins are tight. Trump’s ability to frame the issue as a failure of the current administration could prove pivotal in shifting undecided voters his way.
With immigration policy firmly in the spotlight, Trump’s repeated focus on border security is designed to highlight one of the Biden-Harris administration’s perceived weaknesses. As Election Day approaches, the question remains whether Harris’s late-stage attempts to bolster her border credentials will resonate with voters—or if Trump’s hardline approach will secure him another four years in office.
As voters weigh these choices, it’s clear that the border will remain a focal point of the 2024 campaign. With swing states hanging in the balance, both candidates will continue to push their respective narratives, but for now, Trump seems to have the upper hand on immigration policy.