Page 26 - The Indian EYE 102524

NA Newsline/Opinion OCTOBER 25, 2024 | The Indian Eye 26

Let’s Talk About Immigration

them to reject it, fearing it would give
President Biden and Vice President
Harris a political win. This is a clear
example of political gamesmanship
trumping national interest.
The Biden/Harris administra-
tion has taken substantial action, with
535 executive measures addressing
border and interior enforcement,
immigration courts, and humanitar-
ian protection. Their multi-pronged
approach also includes working with
Latin American countries to curb mi-
By CHITRA BALACHANDRAN gration, providing legal paths to entry,
and addressing the backlog in immi-
epublican talking points about gration courts.
immigration often focus on While challenges remain, es-
Rissues like a porous southern pecially with stretched resources, a
border, immigrant crime, and Kamala comprehensive approach is neces-
Harris’s role in border policy. Howev- sary—one that transcends political
er, these claims don’t hold up against partisanship and focuses on the na-
the facts. tion’s well-being. Kamala Harris un-
The number of migrants crossing derstands that we can have a strong
the border has significantly decreased, approach to illegal immigration
thanks in part to President Biden’s without demonizing all immigrants,
executive action that limited asylum many of whom, like our community of
claims and Mexico’s increased border South Asians, have contributed enor-
enforcement. As for crime, studies mously to the growth and prosperity
show that immigrants, including un- of the American economy, society,
documented ones, are generally more Visiting the border in Arizona recently, Kamala Harris outlined her approach to immigration. and culture.
law-abiding than native-born citizens.
There’s little evidence to support the Pointing out that we are a nation of immigrants (Agency photo) Chitra Balachandran is an amateur
claim that undocumented immigrants ceramist, avid yoga practitioner and
commit more crimes. bill would’ve hired 1500 more bor- judges and asylum officers. It was the loves to travel and commune with
Kamala Harris, contrary to Re- der agents and officers. It would’ve strongest border security bill we have nature. Chitra has been volunteering
publican claims, was never assigned as paid for 100 inspection machines to seen in decades. It was endorsed by for the Democratic Party, starting with
a “border czar.” Her role focused on detect fentanyl that is killing tens of the Border Patrol Union and it should door-door canvassing with her parents
addressing the root causes of migra- thousands of Americans every year. It be in effect today producing results in since President Obama’s campaign.
tion from Guatemala, Honduras, and would have allowed us to more quick- real time right now for our country.” She never misses an opportunity to
El Salvador. Through public-private ly and effectively remove those who This bipartisan border bill was volunteer through door knocking,
partnerships, over $4.2 billion was come here illegally and it would have derailed by Senate Republicans be- phone banking or postcard writing at
generated to create economic oppor- increased the number of immigration cause Former President Trump urged the local, state and federal levels.
tunities in these countries, helping sta-
bilize migration from the region. She
also launched anti-corruption and
anti-smuggling task forces in coopera-
tion with Mexico and Guatemala.
Visiting the border in Arizona
recently, Kamala Harris outlined
her approach to immigration. Point-
ing out that we are a nation of im-
migrants, she nevertheless showed
strong support for more funding for
border security and modernizing the
infrastructure at the port of entry in
Douglas, Arizona.
She said, “I strongly supported
the comprehensive border security
bill written last year by a bipartisan
group of senators including one of
the most conservative members of
the United States Congress. That

www.TheIndianEYE.com