Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized what she says is the importance of bolstering border security and directly addressing the fentanyl crisis during her recent visit to Douglas, Arizona.

On the campaign trail, Harris offered a plan she said would enhance U.S. border defenses and combat drug smuggling, particularly focusing on technological advances, as NPR reports, but her remarks did not come without criticism from numerous corners.

Harris’ stop at the U.S.-Mexico border was strategically planned as part of her ongoing campaign efforts, which included a speech at Cochise College on the same day, underscoring her commitment to these pivotal national issues.

Her visit on Sept. 27 was marked by interactions with Border Patrol officials and inspections of existing border infrastructure. The vice president says that her background as a former prosecutor and attorney general plays a vital role in her approach toward these complex challenges.

During her visit, Harris walked alongside a stretch of the border wall, initially constructed during the Obama administration, showcasing her intent to not only maintain but also enhance the current structures. She engaged in detailed discussions with U.S. Border Patrol officials about the ongoing challenges and effective strategies for border security enhancement. Harris was vocal about employing "common sense approaches" and innovative technologies to strengthen border defenses.

Emphasizing Technology in Border Security

In her discussions, Harris highlighted what she sais was the need for new technologies as a cornerstone of her strategy to improve border security. She committed to embracing these technological solutions to ensure efficient monitoring and management of border activities.

This approach aims to bolster the effectiveness of the physical barriers already in place by integrating advanced surveillance and detection systems.

The issue of fentanyl smuggling was a major talking point during her visit. Harris pointed out the severe impact of fentanyl on U.S. communities, describing the smuggling operations as highly sophisticated and profitable for criminal enterprises.

Harris provided vivid descriptions of discovering tunnels equipped with amenities like lighting and air conditioning, used for smuggling drugs, guns, and human beings across the border.

Harris' Long-term Commitment to Border Security

"Stopping transnational criminal organizations and strengthening our border is not new to me, and it is a long-standing priority of mine. I have done that work, and I will continue to treat it as a priority when I am elected president of the United States," Harris asserted, reflecting her ongoing commitment to these critical national security issues.

Her vision extended beyond mere reactions to incidents at the border; it involves, she said, a proactive overhaul of the immigration system.

Harris criticized former strategies that prioritized family separations and failed to allocate adequate resources for immigration judges and border agents.

In contrast, she promises to foster a bipartisan agreement to significantly increase funding for border agents and equip them with advanced tools to detect substances like fentanyl.

Stringent Measures for Asylum Seekers

Another significant aspect of Harris' border security agenda includes revising the regulations around asylum claims. Harris proposed stricter rules, stating, "If someone does not make an asylum request at a legal point of entry and instead crosses our border unlawfully, they will be barred from receiving asylum."

The VP underlined what she said was the need for a secure and orderly system to manage migration effectively while acknowledging the desperation that drives many to seek refuge in the U.S.

The vice president's stance reflects, she contended, earlier actions taken by President Joe Biden, which the administration believes led to a noticeable reduction in unlawful border crossings earlier in the year. Harris says she plans to further tighten these measures by potentially lowering the threshold for suspending the processing of asylum claims under specific conditions.

The current political climate shows a closely contested race for the presidency, with Harris facing stiff competition, particularly in key swing states. Her focus on border security and immigration reform appears to be a central theme of her campaign strategy, aimed at garnering support from voters concerned about these issues.

In conclusion, Vice President Kamala Harris reinforced her stated commitment to enhancing U.S. border security and addressing the growing crisis of fentanyl trafficking during her visit to Douglas, Arizona. Critics contend, however, that she has done little to effectuate change in the nearly four years she has sat near the top of the administration in charge.