The Myth of Kamala Harris as Border Czar
The Origins of the Title
The term "border czar" was first applied to Vice President Kamala Harris in March 2021, when President Biden tasked her with addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. The administration's goal was to reduce the number of asylum-seeking families and unaccompanied children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
A Limited Role
While Harris was given the title of border czar, her role was far more limited than some expected. She was not put in charge of the Department of Homeland Security or the Border Patrol, and her authority did not extend to border security operations.
Instead, Harris focused on diplomatic efforts with the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. She aimed to address the underlying economic and social conditions that were driving people to leave their home countries.
Conservative Criticism
Despite her limited role, Harris's appointment as border czar drew criticism from some conservative politicians and commentators. They argued that she was not qualified for the job and that she was not taking the border crisis seriously enough.
In May 2021, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for Harris to be removed as border czar. The resolution failed to pass.
The Myth Persists
Despite the clarification of Harris's role, the myth of the border czar has persisted. This is due in part to the ongoing use of the term by conservative media outlets and political figures.
The myth of the border czar has served to undermine Harris's credibility and to cast doubt on the Biden administration's efforts to address the migration crisis.
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