Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) says it is “disappointing” to see Vice President Kamala Harris discouraging potentially undocumented migrants from making the trek to the U.S.-Mexico border.
In a tweet on Monday night, the New York Congresswoman wrote, “This is disappointing to see. First, seeking asylum at any US border is a 100% legal method of arrival.”
“Second, the US spent decades contributing to regime change and destabilization in Latin America. We can’t help set someone’s house on fire and then blame them for fleeing,” she continued.
Finally, she added, “It would be helpful if the US would finally acknowledge its contributions to destabilization and regime change in the region. Doing so can help us change US foreign policy, trade policy, climate policy, [and] carceral border policy to address causes of mass displacement [and] migration.”
It would be helpful if the US would finally acknowledge its contributions to destabilization and regime change in the region.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 7, 2021
Doing so can help us change US foreign policy, trade policy, climate policy, & carceral border policy to address causes of mass displacement & migration.
Ocasio-Cortez’s tweet came hours after Harris delivered a warning to potential migrants seeking to travel to the U.S. border outside of the legal method for migration.
Speaking in Guatemala during her first foreign trip as vice president, Harris said, “I want to emphasize that the goal of our work is to help Guatemalans find hope at home.”
“At the same time, I want to be clear to folks in this region who are thinking about making that dangerous trek to the United States-Mexico border, do not come, do not come,” she continued.
Harris went on to say the U.S. will “continue to enforce our laws and secure our border.” She added, “As one of our priorities, will discourage illegal migration. And I believe if you come to our border, you will be turned back.”
“So let’s discourage our friends, our neighbors, our family members from embarking on what is otherwise an extremely dangerous journey,” she said.
Harris’ warning comes as Axios reports that the number of illegal border crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border this fiscal year is the highest since 2006, and there are still four months left.