A recent New York Times/Siena poll reveals that a majority of likely voters hold Vice President Kamala Harris responsible for the ongoing issues with illegal immigration and border security, problems that have escalated since she and President Joe Biden took office in 2021.
The poll asked likely voters, “How much blame, if any, do you think Kamala Harris as sitting vice president should receive for the problems at the border?” In response, 63 percent of participants indicated that Harris deserves “a lot of blame” or “some blame” for the border situation.
Early in the Biden-Harris administration, President Biden appointed Harris to address border security and tackle the “root causes” of immigration, including efforts to reduce the flow of migrants to the southern border. Media outlets soon dubbed her the “border czar.” However, by June 2021, only a few months into her role, Harris’ office began distancing her from direct responsibility for the border crisis.
Now, as Harris campaigns for the presidency, her team has sought to shed the “border czar” label while portraying her as tough on border security. Despite this, many voters remain unconvinced.
Only 16 percent of likely voters said they place “no blame at all” on