Jennifer Valenzuela, a stay-at-home mom in Douglas, Arizona, is considering backing Kamala Harris in the US presidential election if the vice-president takes a tougher stance on migration. Valenzuela believes that increased border security would make her more likely to vote for Harris. This sentiment reflects the target audience that Harris had in mind during her recent campaign visit to the US-Mexico border. In a departure from her party’s usual rhetoric on immigration, Harris pledged to crack down on illegal immigration and emphasized the importance of setting and enforcing rules at the border.
Harris’s visit to Arizona was aimed at appealing to voters in swing states like Arizona, where Donald Trump currently holds a slight lead according to recent polls. By taking a tough stance on immigration, Harris hopes to narrow the gap between herself and Trump on this issue. While Trump has consistently held an advantage over Democrats when it comes to border security, Harris aims to challenge him directly by proposing specific policies such as tightening asylum measures and pursuing more severe criminal charges for rule-breakers.
This shift in approach is significant because it marks a departure from what Democratic nominees have traditionally advocated for over the past three decades. Republican political strategist Mike Madrid notes that while Harris doesn’t necessarily need to win this issue outright, she does need to close the gap between herself and Trump by presenting an aggressive policy agenda.
Harris’s visit received positive reception from some residents of Douglas who believe that a tougher approach is needed at the border. However, she must also be careful not to alienate her Democratic base or appear insensitive towards those seeking asylum.
The issue of immigration has been contentious throughout Biden’s presidency thus far due to record levels of illegal crossings last year and his repeal of certain policies implemented by Trump. However, since implementing an executive order shutting down the border when numbers escalate, crossings have significantly decreased under Biden’s administration.
In addition to extending and strengthening this order if elected president, Harris also plans on reviving a bipartisan border security bill that was blocked earlier this year by Republicans following Trump’s urging.
While some critics argue that tough rhetoric on immigration may only resonate with Republicans rather than swing voters crucial for winning elections like these; others believe that swing voters are tired of seeing immigration used as merely a political tool and are looking for candidates who can effectively solve problems related to this issue.
Closing Trump’s lead on immigration will be crucial if Harris hopes to secure victory in Arizona with its 11 electoral college votes. Democratic officials remain optimistic about their chances but acknowledge how pivotal Arizona is as one of the most crucial battleground states.
