Some mainstream media outlets are now trying to downplay Vice President Kamala Harris’ role in leading the Biden administration’s border policy, arguing that she never was one, despite previously bestowing her the title of “border czar.”
The furor began with an Axios article reporting on Wednesday that Harris did not actually hold the title of “border minister.”
Critics were quick to point to an article published on the site in April 2021 that read: Harris has been nominated by Biden to be border secretary.
After receiving criticism, Axios published an editor’s note. “Axios was among the news outlets that incorrectly referred to Harris as ‘Border Secretary’ in 2021,” the release acknowledges.
Axios did not immediately respond to The Washington Post’s request for comment.
The debate over whether Harris is a “border czar,” as Republican critics have called her, is an important one.
The Trump campaign is already trying to tie her to the administration’s border policies, polls show. President Biden’s biggest weakness.
In March 2021, President Joe Biden appointed Harris to the post, which will address migration issues from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico.
At the time, he even said he would help her stop illegal immigration from coming across the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Today, I’ve asked her, as vice president, to lead our efforts with Mexico, the Northern Triangle and donor countries who will need our help to stem the flow of so many people and stem migration to our southern border,” Biden said at the time.
In addition to Axios, Time magazine also published an article on Tuesday with the headline “Kamala Harris Was Never Biden’s ‘Border Secretary.’ Here’s Her Real Job,” claiming that “Harris was never appointed to lead border or immigration policy.”
USA Today also ran a “fact check” stating that “Harris’ work on the border was about the ‘root causes’ of migration, and she was not in charge.”
“Harris has never been in charge of the border or appointed as ‘border secretary,'” immigration experts say. President Joe Biden has tasked Harris with leading the administration’s diplomatic efforts to address the ‘root causes’ of migration in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras,” USA Today reported in a fact check.
Harris’ first overseas trip was to Guatemala, where she famously told immigrants “not to come” to the United States, emphasizing her administration’s goal of “stopping illegal immigration.”
But as The Washington Post previously reported, 8 million migrants still crossed the southern border.
many Her role focuses on investing billions of dollars in Central America. It will expand job opportunities, crack down on corruption and address crime issues that drive immigrants out of the region.
Harris has all but secured the Democratic presidential nomination after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race on Sunday and endorsed her along with nearly every other leading Democrat.
Former President Donald Trump discussed Harris’ role as “border secretary” in a conference call with reporters on Tuesday and criticized her for allowing millions of immigrants to enter the country illegally.
“Harris was appointed ‘Border Commissioner’ in March 2021, but since then, her willful destruction of America’s borders and laws has allowed millions of illegal immigrants to enter our country and countless Americans have been killed in immigration crimes,” Trump said.
Harris has made one visit to the southern border in El Paso, Texas, in June 2021 as part of her duties.
A source who was present during the trip told The Post that the trip had been “hastily organised” and “convenient”, with instructions to get as many migrants out as possible before the vice president’s arrival.
A spokesman for the Harris campaign did not immediately respond to The Washington Post’s request for comment.
