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(CNN) – Vice President Kamala Harris is back in the United States after her first trip to power took her to Guatemala and Mexico.
One place she didn’t visit was the southern border with the United States, and that’s something she has to answer for.
The diplomatic test quickly turned into political quicksand as it drew fire from both right and left.
In an interview with NBCs Lester Holt, Harris was asked if she was planning on going to the border.
At one point, you know, we’re going to the border, Harris said. We went to the border. So this whole border thing. We went to the border.
But Holt pressed her on the matter, stating that she had not been at the border.
And I haven’t been to Europe, she replied. And I mean, I don’t understand the point you’re making. I do not underestimate the importance of the border.
Texas Senator Ted Crus, House Republican number two, tweeted: “This is a crisis we were talking about – no vacation.
We don’t have an Australian border crisis, we don’t have a border crisis in Europe. We have a border crisis on the southern border, Cruz said in an interview with Fox News.
For weeks, Harris and her team fought the perception that she was the border czar of administrations.
Insisting that she focuses closely on tackling the root causes of migration, but after the problem became a distraction, she changed her mind.
When asked if she would commit to visiting the border, she said, let me tell you something, yes I will and I have already.
Harris spent most of his trip grappling with the problem.
She announced a new task force to eradicate corruption in Guatemala, nearly $ 90 million to boost economic opportunities and an agreement with Mexico to boost agriculture and youth programs in Central America.
But it was a stern warning to potential migrants in Guatemala who took their flack on the left.
I want to be clear to the people of this region who are considering taking this dangerous journey to the US-Mexico border. Don’t come. Don’t come, said Harris.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez called the message a disappointment to see.
When asked why she thought it was important to relay this message while in Guatemala, Harris said the trek can be treacherous and dangerous and that she doesn’t take it lightly.
Harris’ warning underscores the American balance in the region.
At a time when the United States faces a record number of migrants on the southern border, some of whom say they believe the policies of the Biden administration are more welcoming.
The flip side is a message of hope for a region in need.
I know our ability to give hope to people in this region and especially in these 3 Central American countries, said Harris. And I have no doubt in my mind that the work we have done is going to have a very positive impact. It may not happen overnight, but it will have a positive impact.
The Biden administration has focused on improving conditions in Central America in order to reduce the number of migrants attempting to enter the United States.
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