In an open letter on Sunday, President Joe Biden announced that he would no longer seek the Democratic nomination for President. Instead, he endorsed his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, for the nomination. With swift endorsements from congressional leaders, state officials, high-profile organizations, and trade unions, the Democratic party is uniting behind their new candidate without significant opposition.
Follow our analysis of the presumptive nominee as we review Harris’ policy positions on key immigration issues and vet possible vice-presidential candidates.
Vice President Kamala Harris
From her time serving as a U.S. Senator to her current role as Vice President, Harris’ stance on immigration has been characterized by compassion and opposition to divisive measures.
As a U.S. Senator, Harris argued against the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, calling it “a total waste of taxpayer money” and a “monument standing in opposition to not just everything I value, but to the fundamental values upon which this country was built.” She also opposed the Trump administration’s family separation policies, stating, “If we just built a wall on our southern border, don’t forget the babies ripped from their mother’s arms and the refugees fleeing violence who are turned away.”
She maintained steadfast support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, being a signatory to a letter pressuring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to uphold DACA. Despite a Supreme Court ruling affirming its legality, then-DHS Secretary Chad Wolf refused to reinstate the program, prompting Harris and her fellow senators to take decisive action to restore it.
As a presidential candidate, Harris proposed “parole-in-place” program to enabled Dreamers to remain in the U.S. while applying for citizenship. This status would also allow them to apply for a green card if their spouse is a U.S. citizen. A similar executive action was later passed by President Biden, granting residency eligibility to undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens who meet tight criteria. Whether or not this action was influenced by Harris, it reflects a part of her agenda within the Biden administration.
As Vice President, Harris has been tasked with addressing the root causes of immigration. Her efforts have included creating 90,000 jobs in Central America and offering $179 million USD for small businesses, aiming to provide financial stability and reduce the need for people to leave the region.
She has also urged Congress for a “pathway to citizenship for immigrants.” Furthermore, following efforts by President Biden and Congressional leadership to reach a bipartisan national security deal that would fund border enforcement efforts and provide military aid for Ukraine, Harris reiterated her call for a “meaningful pathway to citizenship.”
The Vice-Presidential Candidates
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
Roy Cooper, the two-term governor and former attorney general of North Carolina, has been floated as a possible pick due to his popularity in the battleground state and moderate appeal among Southern voters. Cooper’s policy-focused campaigning bodes well for the ticket, offering a refreshing perspective from a red-state Democrat.
Earlier in the year, Cooper refused to act on calls to deploy the National Guard to Texas in solidarity with Governor Greg Abbott. In January, Abbott attempted to challenge federal authority by sending the Texas National Guard to the border against President Biden’s wishes. Cooper was the only governor in the Southeast to refuse to join Abbott, even issuing a statement condemning the action.
Cooper endorsed a Biden-backed border package, which contained harmful measures such as border shutdown and stringent asylum regulations. On the other hand, Cooper has continuously vetoed legislation mandating sheriffs work with federal authorities to detain and deport undocumented migrants. He will likely veto the recent House Bill 10, which has similar aims, but overridden by the Republican supermajority.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Andy Beshear, the two-term governor and former attorney general from the South, has been mentioned as possible vice-presidential pick. Beshear has navigated a fine line during his tenure, showing compassion towards migrants while governing a deeply red state. His position on the ticket could appeal to moderates.
Beshear supports strong border security while recognizing the humanity of immigrants who know the U.S. as their home. In an interview with the Associated Press, Beshear took a firm stance against Trump’s rhetoric, particularly comments about immigrants “poisoning the blood of our country.” Beshear responded, “I think the rhetoric is dangerous and it’s uncalled for. We can have strong opinions on illegal immigration. It is illegal first and our laws have to be protected, and we have to come together and do better about finding a long-term solution.”
Despite his centrist vision, Beshear broke with Democrats by deploying the Kentucky National Guard to the southern border during the dispute between the federal government and Abbott. The statement from the action denounced “pick-a-side” politics, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to respond to calls from both sides of the aisle.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly, the former astronaut and current U.S. Senator from Arizona, is among the top contenders. As a border-state senator, Kelly has criticized both parties for inaction on border security. He has positioned himself as a moderate Democrat while veering to the right of the Biden administration on immigration. His place on the ticket would aim to attract immigration hard-liners.
Kelly has called the situation at the border a “crisis,” continuing to argue for more officers and surveillance at the border. While Kelly has attempted to separate himself from what he considers failed border responses by the Biden administration, he has been an ally on positions that reinforce border security. After the bipartisan border security package failed to garner support, Kelly blamed former President Trump for the bill’s failure. Similarly, he praised Biden’s executive action to limit the amount of border crossings when they reach a certain threshold.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Josh Shapiro, the former attorney general and current Governor of Pennsylvania, has emerged onto the national stage for his record-high approval and bipartisan action. His place on the ticket would serve to reassure residents of the swing-state, while offering a rank-and-file Democratic approach to immigration.
Shapiro was a loud voice of opposition against Trump’s family separation policy, calling it “abhorrent” and “inconsistent with U.S. asylum laws, and is fundamentally at odds with our core principles and values.” Further, Shapiro has called on Congress to fix the “broken” immigration system and include solutions such as a pathway to citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
J.B. Pritzker, the former businessman and current Governor of Illinois, represents a blend of progressive ideals and fiscal responsibility. Given Illinois’ influx of migrants from the southern U.S. border, his place on the ticket would rally the liberal base and provide an example of how a sanctuary state can be managed effectively.
Pritzker has been vocal about the challenges posed by the arrival of asylum-seekers, with Abbott sending 35,000 migrants to Chicago. To address this crisis, Pritzker proposed $182 million toward the state’s migrant response. In November, Pritzker also announced that the state would spend an additional $160 million in an effort to care for the more than 21,200 migrants at risk of dying on Chicago’s streets during the winter season.
During the Trump presidency, Pritzker passed two bills that offered “greater stability to the lives of immigrant children.” House Bill 836 ensures that children can have short-term guardians if their parent is detained or deported by ICE, while House Bill 1553 enables undocumented youth to obtain visas by aligning state laws with existing federal laws. He signed Executive Order 2019-07, which expands access to welcoming centers and informs immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers of state programs that promote rights and opportunities.
Conclusion
As we await the nomination of Harris to the presidency, her track record displays compassion in border policy, advocacy for a pathway to citizenship, and support for DACA. The top vice-presidential candidates offer a range of viewpoints and perspectives on immigrant well-being for the Harris campaign to consider, as immigration-related issues become increasingly divisive nationwide.
Marko Sanchez serves as the Communications Intern at the Im/migrant Well-Being Scholar Collaborative. They assist in creating public-facing communications and content such as social media posts, website blogs, and press releases.
Karla Madera Tejada is a recent graduate of The George Washington University, where she majored in Political Science and Criminal Justice. Her areas of expertise include immigration law research and policy, with a focus on the complexities and challenges of the U.S. immigration system.