I have been following closely what happens along the border; Harris's recent Arizona trip really caught my attention. Having spent time in a border state myself, I've seen how immigration affects our community. It is one of the most complex problems that no simple slogan or photo op can explain.
Harris has now suddenly started hitting hard on border security.
I remember when she came out and decried the policies of Trump, and now she's echoing a similar tone. It rings as politically expedient to me, not an honest change of heart. In so many ways, I just don't know how she had any sense of the realities that we confront here.
Local ranchers' stories, like that of Jim Chilton, resonate with me. Friends and neighbors have related similar stories to me about how their land is constantly crossed by lots of people. It is more than politics; it is about safety and security for those living along the border.
I am highly skeptical of Harris's pledge for assurances on the crackdown on illegal immigration.
The less-than-impressive performance of the current administration doesn't inspire confidence. Record numbers have crossed under their watch. As actions speak louder than words, it is now time their actions finally matched their rhetoric.
That said, I really don't think that Trump's approach is the solution to this problem either.
Building a wall is not going to solve the root causes of why people are taking that treacherous journey north. We need a balanced approach that addresses security and humanitarian concerns in a parallel manner.
Being someone deeply invested in the issue at hand, this has been frustrating to me, since no party seems to have a real solution to the problem. We need leaders who will look beyond partisan politics to work towards comprehensive reform. Until then, those living in border communities will continue to bear the brunt of this ongoing crisis.
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