Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign has recently expressed support for a bipartisan Senate border package, indicating a significant shift from her previous opposition to border wall funding.

The package, which included $650 million for border wall funding, was negotiated last winter but is now considered by lawmakers as having little chance of resuscitation, according to Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), as the Washington Examiner reports.

Originally negotiated by Senators Lankford, Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), and Chris Murphy (D-CT), the package included significant funding for border wall projects that were initially proposed during former President Donald Trump's administration.

These projects, previously dismissed by Harris as part of a "medieval vanity project," have now gained her support as she takes the lead on the Democratic Party ticket.

Shift in Harris’s Immigration Policy

Harris’s change in stance has not gone unnoticed. Critics from both sides of the political spectrum have accused her of political maneuvering, suggesting that her newfound support for border wall funding is a strategy to appeal to more conservative voters as she eyes the presidency.

Lankford, who was involved in the original negotiations, expressed doubts about the feasibility of reviving the funding. “The assumption that $650 million is still sitting there, I doubt. I couldn’t tell you I know where it is, but I doubt that that is still sitting there ready to go at this point,” Lankford said.

Despite her previous opposition, an aide from Harris’s campaign disclosed to Axios that she now supports the completion of border wall projects that were left unfinished. This revelation comes as Harris has taken a more hawkish approach to immigration since stepping into the spotlight as the leading Democratic candidate following President Joe Biden's decision to step down.

Harris Blames Republicans for Failed Border Bill

During the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris laid the blame for the failure of the bipartisan border bill squarely on former President Trump and Republican lawmakers. She vowed to bring the bill back if elected, stating, “I refuse to play politics with our security, and here is my pledge to you. As president, I will bring back the bipartisan border security bill that he killed, and I will sign it into law.” This promise, however, was met with skepticism, particularly from Lankford, who noted that Harris and her team had not reached out to him since last fall regarding the bill.

The bipartisan deal, which was seen as a rare moment of cooperation across party lines, now seems all but dead. Lankford indicated that the bill is no longer under consideration, especially given the changes in political climate and the uncertainty about the situation at the border in 2025. “When you get into 2025, it’s a different moment. We have no idea what the border is going to be, and I have no optimism that President Harris would enforce the border any different than President Biden has,” Lankford remarked.

Criticism of Harris’s Border Stance

Harris’s critics have been quick to label her new stance as a political ploy. Republicans and other opponents argue that her support for the border wall is inconsistent with her previous rhetoric.

Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s campaign press secretary, pointed out Harris’s past criticisms of the wall, calling it “un-American” and a “waste of taxpayer money.” Leavitt questioned how long the mainstream media would allow Harris to avoid direct interviews on the topic, noting that her campaign has relied on anonymous sources to communicate this shift.

In addition to Leavitt, other Republican figures have voiced their skepticism. Will Reinert, press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee, dismissed Harris’s promises, saying, “San Francisco liberal Kamala Harris’ fake promises to secure the border will never become reality.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Walker, Executive Vice President of Heritage Action for America, described Harris’s support for the border wall as “the latest flip-flop of many in her fledgling campaign,” accusing her of being a “phony” who will do anything to gain power.

Record-High Migrant Apprehensions Add Pressure

The debate over border security comes at a time when migrant apprehensions have reached an all-time high. In December 2023 alone, nearly 250,000 illegal immigrants were stopped by Border Patrol agents, highlighting the ongoing challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border. This surge in illegal immigration has only intensified the scrutiny on Harris’s policies, with many questioning whether her administration would effectively manage border security.

Despite her previous opposition to the border wall, Harris’s recent actions suggest a pragmatic shift in her approach to immigration. However, whether this shift will resonate with voters remains to be seen, particularly as critics continue to highlight the inconsistencies in her position.

Conclusion

Vice President Kamala Harris’s newfound support for border wall funding marks a significant departure from her earlier stance, raising questions about her motivations and the potential impact on her presidential campaign.

While she has pledged to revive the bipartisan border security bill if elected, skepticism abounds, particularly from those who were involved in the original negotiations.

As migrant apprehensions continue to rise, Harris’s evolving position on immigration will undoubtedly remain a focal point in the ongoing debate over U.S. border policy