Biden taps Harris to lead on immigration amid border crisis
By Jonathan Easley - 03/24/21 02:25 PM EDT President Biden has tapped Vice President Harris to lead the administration’s efforts to stem the flow of migrants seeking entry to the U.S. at the Southern border and to form partnerships with Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries aimed at addressing the root causes of illegal immigration.
Harris will spearhead the White House’s immigration portfolio so that Mexico and the Northern Triangle will know “there is one single figure dedicated to this effort,†a senior administration official said.
A White House official said Harris’s work will run along two tracks — first to address the swell of migrants at the Southern border, and second to build long-term partnerships with the Central American countries the migrants are fleeing.
“She’ll work first on the goal of stemming the flow of irregular migrants to the U.S…but at the same time, the real goal is to establish a strategic partnership with these countries based on respect and shared values,†the official said.
Harris’s appointment comes at a critical time for the Biden administration, which is struggling to handle the surge of migrant children seeking entry to the U.S.
The Biden administration is turning away many of the thousands of migrants that have made the dangerous journey from Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/544741-biden-taps-harris-to-lead-on-immigration-amid-border-crisis
