### Harris’s Pledge on Immigration Detention Facilities Under Scrutiny
In her initial campaign for the presidency, Vice President Kamala Harris promised to shut down all private immigration detention centers “on day one.” This commitment has come under significant scrutiny as she faces ongoing criticism regarding her handling of southern border issues.
An old video clip from an October 2019 town hall meeting in Iowa resurfaced recently, demonstrating Harris’s clear stance during her presidential run. An audience member directly asked, “If you become president, will you be dedicated to closing immigration detention centers?”
“Absolutely, on day one. On day one,” she affirmed confidently.
Fox News Digital reached out to Harris’s campaign for clarification on whether her views have evolved since then.
### Political Reactions and Recent Statistics
Republican Senator Ted Cruz from Texas shared this footage on social media, emphasizing the importance of believing political figures when they reveal their intentions: “When she tells you who she is… believe her.”
Data from U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) reveals that by the end of July 2024’s fiscal year, over 37,000 individuals were being detained across 18 private facilities. Notably, slightly more than 10,000 detainees had criminal histories while around 4,600 were facing unresolved criminal charges.
Additionally, ICE announced several arrests recently. Notable cases included the deportation of a Brazilian individual arrested for attempted murder after previously being caught and released at the border in March this year; a Dominican national apprehended in Massachusetts for trafficking fentanyl after a similar release; and other alarming cases involving sexual offenses committed by migrants initially released during prior administrations.
### The Vice Presidency: Addressing Border Challenges
Kamala Harris was appointed by President Biden as a special envoy tasked with managing challenges related to illegal immigration from Central America—a role that has drawn intense partisan debate as illegal crossings have surged under their administration.
Since initiating her campaign again for presidency consideration in recent months, criticisms have mounted against both Harris and Biden regarding their border strategies amidst reports indicating unprecedented levels of undocumented immigrants entering the country without proper documentation.
Notably back in 2018 during hearings concerning Homeland Security nominees under former President Trump administration policies—Harris controversially likened certain operations within these agencies to those employed by oppressive groups like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). During questioning directed at Ronald Vitiello—nominee to lead ICE—she probed if he acknowledged perceived associations between ICE actions and longstanding fears among immigrant communities specifically hailing from Mexico and Central America.
Furthermore reflecting upon agency conduct in subsequent interviews—with MSNBC—Harris expressed substantial critiques about ICE’s framework: “We must seriously reassess how ICE operates.” She suggested possibilities warranting an overhaul or foundational restructuring of practices presently entrenched within such institutions.
