Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns for the 2024 presidential election, her past support for activist groups advocating for the defunding of key federal immigration agencies is coming under renewed scrutiny. Reports from Newsmax on August 21, 2024, reveal that Harris’s involvement with these groups, including those opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is raising questions about her stance on immigration enforcement.
During her tenure as California’s junior senator, Harris was an active supporter of fundraising efforts for organizations calling for significant changes in immigration policy. In 2018 and 2019, she promoted these fundraisers through social media, directing followers to donate via ActBlue, a prominent Democratic fundraising platform.
The focus of these fundraisers was to provide aid to families affected by what Harris described as “our government’s human rights abuses along the border.” Her social media posts, including a June 2018 tweet, encouraged donations to support organizations helping children and families separated by ICE.
Among the beneficiaries of these fundraisers was the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, which posted an anti-law enforcement poem in February 2023. This poem, which read, “Roses are red. Violets are blue. You and me could Defund DHS, ICE, and CBP too!” has intensified controversy surrounding Harris’s connections to groups opposing federal immigration agencies.
Another organization receiving funds from the ActBlue campaign was the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES). RAICES has been a vocal advocate for defunding local sheriffs who collaborate with ICE. In 2020, the group promoted a campaign aimed at defunding sheriff departments, although the tweet has since been removed.
The funds raised also supported several other groups, including the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, La Union del Pueblo Entero, United We Dream Action, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). These organizations have been involved in advocating for immigrant rights and challenging aggressive immigration enforcement practices.
Harris’s promotion of a second fundraiser, which supported organizations like RAICES, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, the Texas Civil Rights Project, and the UndocuBlack Network, further underscores her past alignment with the broader movement to reform immigration policies.
The UndocuBlack Network, a beneficiary of the fundraiser, remains committed to its stance on defunding ICE and CBP. Executive Director Patrice Lawrence recently reiterated the group’s position, emphasizing the need to protect immigrants and address issues with current immigration practices.
As Harris continues her bid for the presidency, her past associations with these groups could pose significant challenges. Her role as Vice President and her appointment as the “border czar” in 2021 by President Joe Biden add complexity to her immigration policy stance. Despite her efforts to address the root causes of migration, the ongoing border crisis has intensified under the Biden-Harris administration, leading to criticism of Harris’s effectiveness in her role.
The Harris campaign has recently sought to distance itself from the “border czar” title, amid growing scrutiny of her handling of the southern border crisis. As the 2024 election approaches, these issues may play a crucial role in shaping voter perceptions of her candidacy.
