'Longstanding problem': Kamala Harris deflects immigration criticism, MAGA calls it a 'meltdown'

Vice President Kamala Harris addressed tough questions on immigration during a recent interview on CBS' 60 Minutes . Interviewer Bill Whitaker pressed her on changing positions over the years, asking why many voters feel they don't know where she stands on key issues like fracking, Medicare for All, and immigration. In response, Harris defended her approach, explaining that her efforts focus on "building consensus" and finding "common sense solutions."

Harris said, "The last four years, I have been vice president of the United States, and I have been travelling our country, and I have been listening to folks and seeking what is possible in terms of common ground. We are a diverse people... and what the American people do want is that we have leaders who can build consensus, where we can figure out compromise and understand it's not a bad thing, as long as you don't compromise your values."

Whitaker then questioned her administration's handling of immigration, pointing out the initial increase in border crossings under the Biden-Harris administration. He asked why the recent crackdown on asylum seekers, which has resulted in a significant drop in crossings, wasn’t implemented earlier. Harris attributed the delay to Congress, noting that while the administration proposed reforms early on, Republican opposition stalled progress.

Q: “There was a historic flood of undocumented immigrants coming across the border the first three years of your administration. Was it a mistake to loosen the immigration policies as much as you did?”

Kamala: “From day one we’ve been offering solutions.” pic.twitter.com/J6wGkaUYMp

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) October 8, 2024

"The first bill we proposed to Congress was to fix our broken immigration system," Harris explained. "Donald Trump got word that this bill was afoot and could be passed, and he wants to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem. So he told his buddies in Congress, kill the bill."

Whitaker, however, pointed out the stark numbers, saying that arrivals had quadrupled since President Biden took office. Harris remained firm, stating that the administration’s efforts had begun to show results, with a significant reduction in border crossings and fentanyl trafficking. "We have cut the flow of illegal immigration by half. We have cut the flow of fentanyl by half," she said.

Immigration is a critical issue in the upcoming US elections, marked by rising illegal border crossings, strained resources, and a divided public. Since President Biden took office, there have been over 6.4 million border crossings, and the asylum system faces a backlog of over 2 million pending cases, intensifying the crisis.

MAGA says 'most embarrassing answers in 60 Minutes history'

The 60 Minutes interview has sparked strong reactions from MAGA supporters, particularly on social media. Several users criticised Harris for what they saw as her failure to adequately address immigration. One user commented, "Kamala is not ready for primetime," referencing her inability to provide a clear answer when asked if the administration’s initial immigration policies were a mistake.

Others suggested that her responses were insufficient. "Kamala is confronted by 60 Minutes on if allowing illegal immigration to quadruple on her watch was a mistake. Gets asked three times, responds with nonsense," said one post. Another added, "This may go down as one of the most embarrassing answers in 60 Minutes history."

Critics further accused Harris of sidestepping tough questions on border security, with one user stating, "She completely melted down in response." These reactions highlight the continued scrutiny Harris faces on immigration as the issue remains a focal point in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.