Vice President Kamala Harris recently visited Arizona to discuss the fentanyl crisis, but for many, her sudden focus on the border feels more like a campaign tactic than a sincere effort to solve the problem. After being named border czar in 2021, Harris rarely addressed the escalating issues at the southern border, allowing the crisis to worsen on her watch.
Harris is now touting new funding for border infrastructure and claiming she will “stop the flow of illegal fentanyl.” But the numbers tell a different story. Drug-related deaths, many tied to fentanyl, have skyrocketed during her tenure. Over 325,000 Americans died from overdoses between 2021 and 2023, and critics argue that Harris’ failure to enforce stricter border controls contributed to this tragedy.
Families like that of Anne Fundner, whose son died from fentanyl poisoning, have spoken out against Harris’ inaction. Fundner directly blamed the Biden-Harris administration’s “open border policies” for allowing the influx of dangerous drugs into the country, stating that Harris “failed to act meaningfully” when it mattered most.
Harris’ history of shifting her stance on immigration has also drawn scrutiny. During the 2020 Democratic primaries, Harris supported decriminalizing illegal border crossings to win favor with the progressive base. Now, as she positions herself for a 2024 run, she’s taking a tougher stance — a move many see as politically calculated.
While Harris may try to present herself as tough on the border, her lack of attention to the crisis over the past few years undermines her credibility. Her new stance seems more about winning votes than solving a deeply entrenched problem.
