BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has published a fact sheet to challenge Republican claims that Vice President was “Border Czar” for the United States.
The fact sheet disputes four GOP talking points. The four are:
False Allegation #1: President Biden appointed Vice President Kamala Harris as the “Border Czar”.
The Truth: Vice President Harris was NEVER appointed “Border Czar”. There has never been such a position. It doesn’t exist. In 2021, Vice President Harris was tasked with addressing root causes of migration from Central America to reduce pressure pushing migrants to embark on the dangerous journey to the U.S.
False Allegation #2: Vice President Harris oversees day-to-day border security and immigration operations.
The Truth: Vice President Harris was NOT asked to lead on the Administration’s immigration or border enforcement policies. Border security operations are managed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and his agency, not the Vice President.
False Allegation #3: Vice President Harris has done nothing to address migration issues.
The Truth: President Biden tasked Vice President Harris to lead the Administration's diplomatic “root causes” strategies in Central America. Her role focused on changing conditions in other countries, not the U.S. border. Vice President Harris:
• Was tasked with addressing “push” factors driving migrants to flee these countries, such as economic insecurity, corruption, crime, human rights abuses, and gender-based violence.
• Helped secure private sector investment, promoting democracy and economic opportunity.
• Secured commitments of $5 billion in private sector investments for the region.
False Allegation #4: Vice President Harris’ diplomatic role in addressing root causes of migration in Central America has not been effective.
The Truth: In 2021, border crossing by migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador made up 41% of all border crossing. In 2023, crossings from those countries were down to 22%.
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen said he was pleased with the CHC’s response to the GOP talking points.
“We need to forge ahead with the candidate that is most likely help the people in the RGV. It’s clearly not someone who’s insulted your heritage insulted women, veterans and is following a party that in threatening Social Security and Medicare,” Gonzalez told the Rio Grande Guardian.
