Tough Questions on Immigration Strategy
Vice President Kamala Harris faced tough questions from CBS News’ Bill Whitaker regarding the Biden administration’s border policy failures. During a special election episode of “60 Minutes,” Whitaker challenged Harris on the government’s recent immigration strategies.
Failure to Act in 2021
“You recently visited the southern border and supported President Biden’s stricter asylum measures,” Whitaker remarked. “These measures quickly led to a drop in border crossings. If this approach works now, why didn’t your administration implement it in 2021?”
Harris responded, “The first bill we proposed aimed to fix our immigration system. We recognized that real solutions require Congressional action. Unfortunately, Congress did not consider it. Later, a bipartisan group of senators, including one conservative member, proposed a border security bill. However, when Donald Trump learned about it, he told his allies in Congress to block it.”
Historical Context of Immigration
Whitaker noted, “I have covered the border for years. This issue didn’t start with your administration. However, the number of undocumented immigrants surged during your first three years in office, quadrupling since the last year of President Trump. Was it a mistake to relax immigration policies as much as you did?”
Harris replied, “This is a long-standing problem, and we have available solutions. From day one, we have worked on them.”
Reassessing Policy Choices
Whitaker pressed further, asking, “Was it a mistake to allow that surge in the first place?”
“We have focused on fixing the problem, not promoting it,” Harris stated.
“But the numbers did quadruple under your watch,” Whitaker interjected.
Harris continued, “Today, because of our actions, we have cut illegal immigration and fentanyl flow by half. But we need Congress to act to truly solve the issue.”
Ongoing Debate Over Immigration Strategy
Bill Whitaker repeatedly questioned whether the initial loosening of border policies was a mistake. This exchange underscores the ongoing debate over the administration’s immigration strategy.
Contrasting Approaches to Migration
In contrast to the U.S. approach, some countries are exploring different solutions. For example, Sweden is offering substantial financial incentives for migrants to leave the country. Beginning in 2026, Sweden will provide $34,000 to migrants willing to return to their home countries. This policy targets unemployed migrants or those reliant on state benefits. It aims to reduce irregular migration and combat fraud. Such measures reflect a growing trend among nations to address migration challenges with stricter policies and financial inducements.
