SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. (AP) — On a dirt road below the shrub-dotted hills of Arizona, former President Donald Trump made a bold statement about border security. Using a stretch of wall and a pile of steel beams, Trump visually contrasted his approach to securing the border with that of his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Accompanied by grieving mothers, the sheriff of Cochise County, and the head of the Border Patrol union, Trump’s visit to the border was themed “Make America Safe Again.” Paul Perez, the president of the Border Patrol union, pointed to the wall built under President Trump as „Trump wall“ and referred to the unfinished wall as „Kamala wall,“ emphasizing the difference in approach to border security.
The Biden administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the wall construction, highlighting the ongoing debate over border security policies.
This visit marked the fourth in a series of events held in battleground states this week, as Trump sought to shift focus away from the Democratic National Convention and Harris’ presidential nomination in Chicago. Speakers at the convention accused Trump of using the border to stoke fear and demonize immigrants, a tactic he has frequently employed to rally his base.
Joining Trump on the border visit were mothers of children who were killed during the Biden administration in cases involving suspects who are immigrants in the country illegally. Trump often highlights such incidents to underscore his concerns about the Biden administration’s immigration policies, despite studies showing that immigrants living in the U.S. illegally are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.
One mother, Alexis Nungaray, whose 12-year-old daughter was tragically killed in Houston, pleaded for attention to be given to border control, emphasizing the importance of preventing such heinous crimes.
Security was tight during the visit, with snipers positioned nearby and security forces visible on both sides of the border. Trump used the opportunity to criticize the Biden administration and Harris, accusing them of causing harm to families through their policies.
In his tour of battleground states this week, Trump has been vocal about border security, holding events in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina. His running mate, JD Vance of Ohio, also spoke at a similar location near the border recently.
Democratic officials, however, argue that their party offers real leadership on border issues, with U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar stating, “When it comes to the border, hear me when I say, ‘You know nothing, Donald Trump.’” Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut highlighted Republican opposition to a bipartisan border deal earlier this year, which Trump dismissed as weak and ineffective.
The debate over border security continues to be a contentious issue, with both parties offering contrasting approaches to address the challenges at the border. As the 2022 midterm elections approach, the topic of border security is likely to remain a key focus for politicians and voters alike.
