The House Oversight and Accountability Committee has launched an investigation into Vice President Kamala Harris's handling of the southern border crisis, demanding records and internal communications from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) related to Harris's office.
Breitbart reported that this investigation stems from criticism of Harris’s management of illegal immigration, which some lawmakers claim has led to unprecedented human costs and the worst border crisis in American history.
The probe was initiated on Tuesday, with the Committee pressing CBP to release any internal communications they have had with Harris's office regarding illegal immigration.
Committee chairman James Comer (R-KY) detailed this request in a letter to acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller.
In his letter, Comer underscored the severe consequences of illegal immigration, citing instances of murder, sexual assault, and grave bodily injuries allegedly perpetrated by illegal immigrants. Comer emphasized the "human cost" that these illegal activities have imposed on the country, stating that such costs can "no longer be tolerated."
Comer stated, “The mass illegal migration under the Biden-Harris Administration has contributed to murders, sexual assaults, and serious bodily injuries committed against numerous Americans at the hands of illegal aliens.”
The Committee’s letter explicitly seeks documents and communications to ascertain Vice President Harris’s involvement in addressing the border crisis. The letter noted Harris’s earlier advocacy for a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants as part of its review.
The letter requested all documents and communications between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Executive Office of the Vice President concerning the southwest border or illegal immigration. This move is part of wider efforts by GOP lawmakers to scrutinize the administration's immigration policies.
The investigation was initiated following a House resolution passed last month. Introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the resolution criticized Vice President Harris's performance in her role concerning the border. It was adopted with the support of all Republican members and six Democrats.
Comer’s letter is just one part of a larger strategy by GOP legislators to address illegal immigration issues. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) recently released a report detailing how the Biden-Harris administration has managed migrants included in the terror watch list.
In March 2021, President Biden assigned Vice President Harris with specific responsibilities regarding the border, which led media outlets to refer to her as the “border czar.” Recent reports, however, have clarified that "border czar" was never Harris’s official title, as highlighted by Neil Munro of Breitbart News.
“The Committee seeks to understand whether Vice President Harris has ‘done anything’ to address the worst border crisis in American history,” the letter from the House Oversight and Accountability Committee stated.
Media organizations often referred to Vice President Harris as the "border czar," though no formal title was conferred upon her. Neil Munro of Breitbart News pointed out, “Border czar was never her title,” countering the widespread media usage.
The Committee's request for documentation marks a significant step in evaluating and possibly revamping the current administration's approach to handling illegal immigration. This inquiry is expected to provide insights into Harris's direct actions and directives concerning the southern border situation.
The requested documents from CBP will likely reveal the extent of Vice President Harris’s engagement with border management issues. This could lead to policy shifts based on the findings, assuming the requested information uncovers gaps or inefficiencies in the current system.
Comer’s efforts to link the human toll of illegal immigration directly to the current administration's policies underline the ongoing political contention surrounding immigration management. The results of this investigation may have far-reaching consequences for the vice president's role and for the Biden administration's broader immigration strategy.
In conclusion, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee has begun an inquiry into Vice President Harris's handling of the border crisis, questioning her efforts amid claims of severe human costs and systemic failures.
The Committee's demands for documentation from CBP aim to clarify Harris's actions and influence over current immigration policies, potentially reshaping legislative and administrative responses to one of the most pressing issues facing the United States today.