The move comes amid a surge in migrants at the border.
President Biden announced Wednesday he had tapped to lead the administration’s efforts to stem migration at the southern border. Her role comes as since Mr. Biden took office. « She’s the most qualified person to do it — to lead our efforts with Mexico and the Northern Triangle, and the countries that are going to need help in stemming the movement of so many folks — stemming the migration to our southern border, » Mr. Biden said at the White House on Wednesday. « It’s not her full responsibility and job, but she’s leading the effort, because I think the best thing to do is put someone who, when he or she speaks, they don’t have to wonder about — is that where the president is? As she speaks, she speaks for me, doesn’t have to check with me, she knows what she’s doing —and I hope we can move this along. » « Starting today the Northern Triangle nations and Mexico will know there is one senior official dedicated to this effort, » a senior official said on a call with reporters. « She [the vice president] is really going to look at two tracks. She is going to work first on the goal of stemming the flow of irregular migrants to the US, but also at the same time, and as part of the broader context, her real goal is establishment of a strategic partnership with these countries that is based on respect and shared values. » Additionally, officials note, Harris plans to work to make it safer for people to apply for asylum and legal pathways in their home nations instead of making the dangerous trip. Officials point to Harris’ experience in « fighting organized crime and upholding human rights » as a former California attorney general and member of Senate committees that dealt with immigration policy. The new role also relies on Harris’s past experience on the sensitive matter of immigration.
