Vice President Kamala Harris, who was appointed by President Biden as the “border czar” to address the root causes of illegal immigration, chose to attend a dinner for teachers in Houston, Texas instead of visiting the grieving parents of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. Nungaray was found strangled to death on June 17 by two Venezuelan nationals who illegally entered the U.S. earlier this year. Despite widespread criticism, Harris did not visit Nungaray’s parents, who have called for heightened border security to prevent similar tragedies.
During her visit to Houston, Harris met with local leaders to discuss recovery efforts from Hurricane Beryl and attended the American Federation of Teachers’ annual convention. In her address, Harris highlighted key Democratic Party platform topics, such as eliminating voter ID laws, protecting LGBTQ+ rights, and restoring access to abortion. However, her visit did not include a meeting with the grieving parents of Jocelyn Nungaray, who have urged lawmakers to take action to prevent further tragedies and make the country safer for children.
Known as the “border czar,” Harris has faced criticism for her handling of the border crisis, with many questioning her strategy to address the root causes of illegal immigration. In July 2021, she introduced a five-point general strategy that focused on diplomacy, foreign assistance, and sanctions to establish a fair and humane immigration system. Despite pushback from the Biden administration on the informal title of “border czar,” Harris remains responsible for addressing the issues surrounding illegal immigration.
The ongoing border crisis has been a top issue for voters leading up to the November election. The Biden administration has defended its approach, citing a 50% drop in illegal immigrant crossings since Biden announced an executive order limiting crossings into the U.S. However, the administration’s response has been met with criticism, especially in light of cases like Nungaray’s murder, as well as the murders committed by illegal immigrants like Jhon Moises Chacaguasay-Ilbis, Jose Antonio Ibarra, and Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez, who had attempted to enter the country illegally multiple times.
Republicans, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, have criticized Harris for not visiting the southern border during her trip to Houston. They argue that Harris has failed to address the impact of illegal immigration on communities and have called for stronger border security measures. In the midst of these concerns, the Biden administration has defended Harris’s role as the “border czar” and pushed back against claims that she has not been effective in addressing the root causes of illegal immigration.
As the border crisis continues to be a pressing issue, voters and lawmakers are calling for concrete action to address the challenges surrounding illegal immigration. The tragedies like the murders of Jocelyn Nungaray and other victims have highlighted the need for stronger border security measures and a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of illegal immigration. The Biden administration’s response to these concerns will likely be a key factor in shaping the outcome of the upcoming election.
