A resurfaced video from 2018 shows Vice President Kamala Harris protesting deportation policies alongside a celebrity who later became embroiled in a scandal, highlighting her evolving stance on immigration.

Harris’s past opposition to the deportation of illegal immigrants has come to the forefront as she campaigns for the White House, and she expresses concerns over former President Donald Trump’s plans to resume mass deportations if he is re-elected, as the Daily Mail reports.

As a California senator, Harris actively opposed deportation. In 2018, she took part in a Los Angeles parade honoring Martin Luther King Jr., where she marched alongside protesters demanding an end to deportations.

During the event, Harris chanted slogans like, “Up, up with education, down, down with deportation!” This stance reflected her commitment to immigration rights at the time, aligning herself with activists and political movements such as the “Times Up!” initiative.

Smollett Scandal Surfaces Years Later

At the 33rd annual parade, Harris wasn’t alone in her calls for change. She was joined by her husband, Doug Emhoff, and stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, as well as Jussie Smollett, an actor known for his role on the television show Empire.

However, less than a year later, Smollett would find himself at the center of a national scandal. In January 2019, Smollett was found guilty of staging a hate crime hoax, a case that captured widespread media attention.

Harris had initially expressed strong support for Smollett when the story of his alleged attack first broke. On social media, she referred to it as an “attempted modern-day lynching,” a statement she has not removed from her platforms, despite the actor’s conviction. The connection between Harris and Smollett has since resurfaced as the political landscape shifts.

Harris Faces Scrutiny Over Past Remarks

Since becoming vice president, Harris has faced questions about her earlier positions on immigration, particularly as her administration has taken a different approach.

Data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shows a dramatic drop in deportations of criminal illegal immigrants during the Biden administration. The first three years of Donald Trump’s presidency saw 485,930 deportations, whereas under Biden-Harris, the figure dropped to 158,931 -- a 67% reduction.

This shift comes as Harris warns of Trump’s proposed plans to dramatically increase deportations should he win in 2024. Speaking at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Harris expressed her concern, saying, “They have pledged to carry out the largest deportation, a mass deportation, in American history.”

Trump’s Immigration Plans Stir Debate

Trump has made his stance on immigration clear. In a recent interview with journalist Sharyl Attkisson, he stressed his focus on deporting illegal immigrants, stating, “We are getting the criminals out and we are going to do that fast, and we know who they are.” He also reiterated that the U.S. should not serve as “a dumping ground” for illegal immigration, calling for immediate action.

Harris, in response, questioned the feasibility of Trump’s proposals, suggesting they might involve “massive raids” or even “massive detention camps.” Her remarks reflect concerns within the Democratic Party about the humanitarian and logistical impacts of a large-scale deportation effort.

Public Memory of 2018 March Resurfaces

As the video of Harris marching alongside anti-deportation protesters in 2018 continues to circulate, critics point to the contrast between her past actions and her current role in the Biden administration. While Harris once championed progressive immigration reforms, including limiting deportations, her latest statements emphasize securing the border, a key issue in the 2024 race.

The Los Angeles parade where Harris protested was not solely focused on deportations. It was also a celebration of civil rights and social justice, particularly in honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Yet, her involvement with activists and slogans against deportation has now resurfaced at a time when immigration policy is again at the forefront of national debate.

Shifting Policies Ahead of the 2024 Election

As the election approaches, both Harris and Trump have sharpened their rhetoric on immigration. Trump’s plans to resume deportations have sparked intense debate, with many on the right supporting his push for a more stringent immigration policy.

Meanwhile, Harris finds herself in a complex position, balancing her past opposition to deportations with the current administration’s need to address growing concerns over border security.

Despite the differences in their approaches, both Trump and Harris have focused on immigration as a central issue of the 2024 election. For Trump, the priority is removing illegal immigrants swiftly, particularly those with criminal records. Harris, on the other hand, has warned of the potential humanitarian consequences of Trump’s proposals, while also addressing the need for secure borders.

As Harris and Trump prepare for the election season, their differing views on immigration policy are likely to remain a focal point for voters. With the resurfacing of past events like Harris’s participation in the 2018 protest, her evolving stance on deportations is under increasing scrutiny from both her opponents and supporters.