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Harris set to visit US-Mexico border

25 June 2021
16686
2021-06-25 10:56

Vice President Kamala Harris will make her first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border on Friday since taking office, following criticism from members of both parties for failing to go earlier. Harris will visit the El Paso area, accompanied by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, according to a statement from Harris senior adviser.

Harris has faced months of criticism from Republicans, and even some frustration from those in her own party, for not visiting the area. She was tasked earlier this year by President Joe Biden with taking on the root causes of migration from Central America to the United States, and so far she's focused largely on outreach to local leaders and advocacy groups with the goal of improving economic and living conditions in the region.

Harris has said her goal is to offer residents of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico hope for their future, so they no longer feel compelled to leave home for better opportunities. The border issue shadowed Harris’ first foreign trip to Guatemala and Mexico earlier this month.

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