In a tense exchange on NBC's Meet the Press, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) strongly criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her management of the ongoing illegal immigration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The discussion unfolded during a Sunday morning interview with anchor Kristen Welker, one in which Vance did not mince words regarding Harris's lack of effectiveness in her appointed role, as the Daily Wire reports.

Vance attributed the presence of 25 million illegal aliens in the United States to Harris's perceived failure to effectively address the root causes of migration.

He argued that the situation has spiraled out of control since Harris took on the responsibility, claiming that millions of illegal immigrants have entered the country due to her inadequate performance.

Disputed Numbers and Vance's Assertions

During the interview, Welker challenged Vance on the accuracy of his claim, referencing figures from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS estimates the number of illegal aliens in the U.S. to be between 8 and 10 million, a figure far lower than Vance's assertion.

Vance countered by suggesting that DHS might be underestimating the situation, stating that the number of illegal immigrants is likely much higher. "Well, I think the 25 million are the people that should’ve been deported that maybe weren’t deported, plus you add another 12 to 15 million that have come in since Kamala Harris," Vance explained, highlighting his belief that the total number far exceeds official estimates.

Welker quickly noted that DHS disputes Vance's numbers, reinforcing the government's stance that the actual figure is closer to 8 to 10 million. Despite this, Vance remained steadfast in his view, arguing that even if the official numbers are accurate, the situation remains dire.

Debate Over Harris's Role As Border Czar

The conversation then turned to the specific responsibilities assigned to Vice President Harris. Welker pointed out that Harris was tasked with addressing the root causes of migration rather than directly handling border security. This distinction, however, did little to sway Vance's criticism.

Vance argued that Harris's focus on the root causes has been ineffective, as the numbers of illegal immigrants continue to grow.

He stated, "Whatever the number is, it’s way too high, right? It’s millions upon millions of illegal immigrants that have come in just since Kamala became border czar a few years ago." He went on to assert that Harris's approach has failed to make a significant impact on the crisis.

Harris's Efforts to Address Migration Root Causes

Welker attempted to redirect the discussion by emphasizing that Harris's role involves dealing with the underlying factors driving migration from Central America. The Vice President has been working on initiatives aimed at improving economic conditions and reducing violence in the region, with the goal of stemming the flow of migrants to the U.S.

Despite these efforts, Vance remained unconvinced, arguing that the surge in illegal immigration is evidence that Harris's strategy is not working. He contended that the focus should be on stronger border security measures rather than solely addressing the root causes abroad.

The Broader Debate On Immigration Policy

The exchange between Vance and Welker reflects a broader debate within U.S. politics about the most effective way to handle illegal immigration. While some advocate for addressing the root causes in migrants' home countries, others, like Vance, argue that more immediate action is needed at the border itself.

Vance's criticism of Harris is part of a larger Republican narrative that questions the effectiveness of the Biden administration's immigration policies. Many Republicans have argued that the administration's approach has been too lenient, leading to a surge in illegal immigration.

Conclusion: The Border Crisis Debate Continues

As the interview concluded, it was clear that the debate over how to handle the U.S.-Mexico border crisis remains deeply divided. Vance's strong criticism of Harris and the differing estimates of illegal alien numbers underscore the contentious nature of this issue.

In summary, Senator JD Vance's appearance on "Meet the Press" highlighted his belief that Vice President Kamala Harris has failed in her role as border czar, leading to an unprecedented surge in illegal immigration.

Despite challenges from Kristen Welker and references to lower DHS estimates, Vance remained firm in his view that the numbers are far too high, and Harris's approach is not working.

The ongoing debate over immigration policy and the effectiveness of addressing root causes versus border security is likely to continue dominating the national conversation.