Kelly Defends Harris Over Past Immigration Comments Amid Border Security Debate

On Tuesday, Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona came to the defense of Vice President Kamala Harris regarding her earlier comments about decriminalizing illegal border crossings during the 2019 primary election. Kelly noted that amidst the rapid-fire nature of political debates, Harris had only a moment to consider her stance before speaking out, implying that such quick responses should be understood within that context.

He emphasized the importance of backing Border Patrol agents, declaring that Harris has consistently supported this cause. Kelly also highlighted that Trump's actions have stalled what could have been a significant bipartisan immigration reform. In contrast to Trump's perceived credibility on border security, Kelly argued that Harris has proven her commitment to addressing the issue effectively.

Over the years, Harris has repeatedly voiced her opposition to the criminalization of illegal immigration and has suggested the need for reforms within agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In remarks made dating back to 2017, Harris stated that "an undocumented immigrant is not a criminal," while during her 2019 presidential campaign, she promised to seek the closure of detention centers. Furthermore, she expressed a desire to critically evaluate ICE and proposed a potential restructuring of the agency.

As the immigration debate continues, Harris's past statements remain a focal point, but Kelly asserts that her intentions are geared towards finding constructive solutions for the challenges at the border. The Harris campaign has yet to respond to inquiries about these comments.