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Watch: Crime Victim Critiques Kamala Harris's Felon Rehab Program During Trump Rally

 August 24, 2024

Amanda Kiefer, once nearly killed by a felon in a controversial rehabilitation program, is now vocalizing her concerns alongside former President Donald Trump.

A violent crime linked to a program initiated by Kamala Harris has become a pivotal issue as the victim speaks out with Donald Trump, Breitbart reported.

In 2008, Amanda Kiefer, then 29, faced a life-threatening situation in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood. She was nearly killed by a stolen SUV driven by 20-year-old Alexander Izaguirre, an illegal alien and convicted felon.

The harrowing incident unfolded as Kiefer was on her way to dinner, a time and place where she least expected such violence. In an attempt to save her life, Kiefer jumped onto the hood of the car, which resulted in a fractured skull.

Following the attack, it was revealed that Izaguirre was part of "Back on Track," a rehabilitative jobs program for young felons. This initiative, launched by Kamala Harris in 2005 during her tenure as San Francisco's District Attorney, aimed to substitute prison time with job training for convicted drug felons aged 18 to 30.

Controversial Program Spares Felon from Prison

Izaguirre joined the program just months before he attacked Kiefer. Instead of serving time in prison for a drug sale conviction, authorities allowed him to live freely and receive job training funded by taxpayers—a detail that would later ignite significant controversy and criticism.

The program intended to provide a second chance to young offenders by integrating them back into society through employment opportunities. However, the program included illegal aliens like Izaguirre, who were technically ineligible for the jobs for which they were being trained.

This oversight became a significant point of contention when Kamala Harris acknowledged the program's flaws in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2009, a year after Kiefer's assault. She described the incident involving Izaguirre as a "huge, kind of, pimple on the face of the program."

Harris Reacts to Program's Shortcomings

Despite Harris's admission, the revelation sparked widespread criticism, particularly regarding the use of public funds to facilitate the employment of individuals who could not legally hold those jobs. Kiefer expressed her dismay upon learning that her assailant had been in the program instead of prison.

Kiefer stated during her campaigning with Trump, "The worst part about it all was when I found out that taxpayer money was paying for job training for this guy who avoided going to prison for the first felony he committed, for jobs he couldn’t legally hold."

This incident prompted Kiefer to relocate from San Francisco, citing a lack of safety and growing apprehension about the broader implications of Harris's leadership on national security.

Kiefer's Safety Concerns Prompt Relocation

Kiefer explained, "It was kind of a wake-up moment for me, and I moved out of San Francisco because I didn’t feel safe there. And I don’t think our country is going to be safe under Kamala Harris," emphasizing the potential national implications of such rehabilitation programs.

Her campaigning with Donald Trump has renewed attention to the "Back on Track" program, especially as debates about criminal justice reform and immigration continue to polarize the nation.

Kiefer’s story has resonated with many who are skeptical of rehabilitation programs that prioritize job training over traditional incarceration, especially when such programs include participants with questionable legal status.

Broader Debate Over Criminal Justice and Immigration Policies

The discussion around "Back on Track" intersects with national conversations on how best to handle illegal immigration and criminal rehabilitation. This case exemplifies the challenges and potential pitfalls of integrating rehabilitation with immigration policy.

Kiefer's personal ordeal and subsequent activism highlight significant concerns about the effectiveness and safety of programs that reintegrate felons into society without adequate oversight or consideration of legal eligibility for employment.

As the story continues to unfold, it serves as a critical example of the complexities involved in balancing criminal justice reforms with public safety and immigration laws.