The House Oversight and Accountability Committee launched an investigation on Tuesday into Vice President Kamala Harris’s handling—or lack thereof—of the crisis at the U.S. southern border. The committee is demanding that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) release all internal communications with her office related to illegal immigration.
The investigation was initiated through a letter from Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) to acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller. In the letter, Comer emphasized that the ongoing illegal immigration under the Biden-Harris administration has led to severe consequences, including murders, sexual assaults, and serious bodily injuries inflicted on Americans by illegal aliens. Comer stated:
“The mass illegal migration under the Biden-Harris Administration has contributed to murders, sexual assaults, and serious bodily injuries committed against numerous Americans at the hands of illegal aliens. The Committee requests documents and communications to understand Vice President Harris’s role in the worst border crisis in American history.”
The letter criticized Harris’s record on immigration, calling it “abysmal,” and pointed to her past comments suggesting a need to reform immigration enforcement and her advocacy for a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, despite not taking significant action.
“The Committee seeks to understand whether Vice President Harris has ‘done anything’ to address the worst border crisis in American history,” the letter stated.
READ THE LETTER IN FULL BELOW:
The committee is seeking “All documents and communications between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Executive Office of the Vice President related to the southwest border or illegal immigration.”
This probe follows a resolution passed by the House last month, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), condemning Harris’s “failure” as the so-called “border czar.” The resolution was supported by all Republicans and six Democrats.
Comer’s letter is the latest effort by GOP lawmakers to scrutinize the administration’s handling of illegal immigration. Just a day prior, House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) released a report critiquing how the “Biden-Harris administration” has dealt with migrants on the terror watch list.
In March 2021, President Biden assigned Harris a broad range of duties, leading media outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and ABC to dub her the “border czar.” Although the White House later downplayed this title, it has continued to be associated with her, making her a focal point, along with DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, in the ongoing border crisis.
As the 2024 election approaches, Republicans are focusing on Harris’s handling of the border crisis, which has seen record numbers of encounters at the southern border. They argue that these numbers result from the rollback of Trump-era border protections and the implementation of what they call “open border” policies.
The Administration’s Response
The Biden administration has countered this narrative by pointing to a significant decrease in border encounters since President Biden signed an executive order limiting asylum claims in June. The White House highlights a more than 50% reduction in encounters, a more than 70% increase in removals, and the return of over 50,000 people to more than 100 countries. Additionally, Harris’s efforts to address the root causes of migration through private-sector investment have led to over $5.2 billion in commitments from more than 50 companies and organizations since May 2021.
Despite these efforts, the administration accuses Republicans of failing to provide additional funding and support for comprehensive immigration reform. This ongoing conflict has spilled over into the campaign trail, with both the Trump and Harris campaigns clashing over the border issue.
Recently, Harris criticized former President Trump at a rally in Atlanta, accusing him of “talking a big game about securing our border” while failing to deliver. She pledged that, if elected president, she would reintroduce the border security bill that Trump allegedly blocked.
A Broader Perspective
This scrutiny of Harris’s role in the border crisis coincides with her connection to powerful Black sororities, particularly Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the oldest Black sorority in the U.S. Harris’s involvement in these organizations has been seen as both a reflection of her personal identity and a strategic political asset. Historically Black Greek letter organizations like AKA have played significant roles in U.S. history, including the civil rights movement, and continue to exert considerable influence, particularly in voter mobilization efforts.
As the political landscape heats up, Harris’s performance as “border czar” and her ties to influential Black organizations are likely to remain central themes in the ongoing discourse leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
