A Radical Departure from Harris' Previous Stance
Back in 2017, Harris described the border wall as a “stupid waste of money” and criticized it as “un-American.”
Source: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia
Fast forward to today, and her stance seems to have shifted, aligning more closely with the current immigration policies proposed by her party and GOP counterparts.
The Revival of a Controversial Immigration Deal
The bipartisan immigration deal Harris supports includes a significant compromise: allocating $650 million for the border wall.
Source: Wikimedia
Although this amount is considerably less than the $18 billion Trump requested in 2018, it still represents a departure from Harris’ earlier position against any wall funding at all.
Why the Sudden Change?
Critics argue that Harris’ newfound support for the border wall is politically motivated and opportunistic.
Source: @KamalaHarris/X
With the upcoming election, some speculate that Harris is aiming to attract centrist and conservative voters who favor stricter immigration policies, despite her previous opposition.
GOP Calls Out Harris for Hypocrisy
Republicans have been quick to call out Harris’ apparent policy reversal.
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Senator James Lankford, a key architect of the immigration deal, emphasized that the agreement “requires the Trump border wall,” pointing out the inconsistency in Harris’ stance compared to her past statements.
Trump’s Influence on the Immigration Debate
Donald Trump, a prominent figure in the border wall debate, criticized the immigration deal earlier this year, causing GOP members to withdraw support.
Source: Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images
His opposition to giving Democrats a win on the border issue has kept the topic in the political spotlight.
Harris’ Original Stance
Harris openly criticized Trump’s border wall, labeling it a “medieval vanity project” and pledging to block funding.
Source: Wikimedia
Her recent shift has left some of her supporters questioning the authenticity of her commitments.
The Democratic Nominee's New Messaging Strategy
Harris’ recent campaign ads show images of the border wall, portraying her as a “border-state prosecutor.”
Source: Wikimedia
This move has sparked further criticism from those who believe she is altering her stance for political gain rather than genuine belief.
Vance’s Attack Backfires
Senator (and current Republican vice presidential nominee) JD Vance attempted to attack Harris on social media for her support of the wall, claiming she could “start right now” if she truly wanted to build it.
Source: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Critics quickly pointed out that Vance had voted against the same bipartisan bill, revealing his own inconsistency.
A Closer Look at the Bipartisan Bill
The immigration deal Harris supports doesn’t just focus on the wall—it also includes provisions for reforms that Republicans demanded earlier in Biden’s term.
Source: Freepik
However, the spotlight remains on the wall funding, which has become a symbol of broader immigration policy debates.
The Politics of Immigration Ahead of the Election
As the election approaches, Harris’ immigration stance will likely continue to be a hot topic.
Source: John Moore, Getty Images
Republicans, led by Trump, are using this to challenge her credibility, while Democrats are pushing back, trying to reframe the narrative around comprehensive immigration reform.
The Impact of Harris’ Shift on Voters
Harris’ shift on the border wall issue has stirred mixed reactions among voters.
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Some see it as a pragmatic step towards compromise, while others view it as a betrayal of her earlier principles. As the political landscape evolves en route to November, this debate is far from over.