Harris Campaign Advisory Board Member Says They Want The Nation’s Immigration Policy To Look Like California’s

In an interview on MSNBC, Harris Campaign Advisory Board Member Sen. Alex Padilla revealed their intentions to “unleash nationally what they’ve been able to unleash in California” — a state where illegal immigrants are often shielded from deportation, receive public benefits and have little to no incentive to assimilate.

Host José Díaz-Balart asked, “What is it that your message is to the people that you represent and that you work so hard for, and I’m talking about DACA recipients and I’m talking about the millions of people who [live] in mixed immigration status households that don’t hear themselves reflected in any conversation, when, for example, the main focus is that border bill?”

Padilla answered, “I have the honor, as you know, José, to represent the 40 million people of California. And I say everybody, because California, more than any other state, knows the value of our diversity, including our immigrant population, its contribution to the strength of our state and our economy. And we want to unleash nationally what we’ve been able to unleash here in the state of California. Californians and a lot of Californian activists and advocates know Kamala Harris for her talk about the borders, to address that question for the people who still may be wondering, but she’s the first to remind us we need to be thoughtful, we need to be humane, we need to be smart, and we cannot leave the millions of DREAMers and farmworkers and so many other essential workers that we depend on out of this conversation. The organizations and organizers in California know it, we’ve been deploying throughout the country to talk to our counterparts [about] why it’s important to elect Kamala Harris president of the United States and restore Democratic majorities in both houses [of] Congress so we can finally move on with a thoughtful, smart modernization of our immigration system.”

California has long been at the forefront of progressive immigration policies. The state has enacted measures that provide various benefits to undocumented immigrants, including access to state-funded healthcare and education. While supporters argue that these policies promote inclusivity and compassion, critics contend that they undermine the rule of law and place undue strain on public resources.

Critics argue that adopting California’s immigration strategies on a national scale could exacerbate existing challenges related to illegal immigration. Many believe that such policies could incentivize further illegal crossings and create additional burdens on public services. Concerns about border security, law enforcement cooperation, and the overall integrity of the immigration system are mounting — especially as the country grapples with the fall out of the national migrant crisis as is.

Some argue that the Biden-Harris administration already has adopted California’s immigration policy, as they’ve let in a record number of migrants and made it easier than ever for foreigners to reside in the United States — often using taxpayer funds to assist them.

Throughout her campaign, Harris has struggled to articulate her immigration position. For most of her political career, she has championed open borders, aligning with progressive calls for the abolition of ICE and mass amnesty, but since her run for president, she’s backtracked, asserting a commitment to legal frameworks when politically convenient. Her statements during her infamous Fox News interview with Bret Baier, where she insisted that she and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would “adhere to existing immigration laws “follow the law,” raise questions about the sincerity of her commitment — especially in light of Padilla’s comments.