Two terrorists armed with assault rifles carried out a shooting attack in Jaffa.

 

The assertion that Kamala Harris believes illegal immigrants are not criminals stems from a nuanced legal and political debate. The distinction often revolves around differentiating between "illegal entry" (a misdemeanor for first-time offenders) and subsequent civil violations, as well as broader discussions around immigration policy and enforcement priorities.

### Context and Legal Perspective

- **Illegal Entry vs. Criminality:** Entering the U.S. without authorization is classified as a misdemeanor under federal law, not a felony. Re-entering after deportation, however, is a criminal act. Politicians like Kamala Harris may emphasize this distinction to argue that not all undocumented immigrants should be broadly labeled as "criminals."

- **Civil vs. Criminal Law:** Immigration law encompasses both civil and criminal elements. Many individuals who are in the country illegally are in violation of civil immigration law, which is different from criminal law. Thus, the rhetoric around criminality in the immigration context is complex.

### Policy Implications

- **Border Security and Immigration Reform:** Kamala Harris and many in the Democratic Party support a more comprehensive approach to immigration reform. This typically includes securing the border, addressing root causes of migration, and creating pathways to legal status for some undocumented immigrants already in the U.S.

- **Enforcement Priorities:** While Harris may not frame all undocumented immigrants as "criminals," it doesn’t automatically translate to an unwillingness to secure the border. Many Democratic leaders advocate for a secure border but focus on humane enforcement, prioritizing resources to target serious criminal offenders rather than all undocumented individuals.

### Political Rhetoric and Border Security Concerns

- **Perception of Weakness:** Critics often argue that such positions reflect a lax approach to border security and can serve as a signal that enforcement will not be stringent. This perception can affect public opinion on whether a politician is committed to securing the border.

- **Commitment to Border Security:** Despite the rhetoric, Harris has supported border security measures, including funding for border enforcement, technology upgrades, and increased resources for border agents.

### Conclusion

The statement that a candidate like Kamala Harris, who does not view all illegal immigrants as criminals, would "most definitely not secure the border" is an oversimplification. The reality is that border security and immigration policy involve balancing enforcement with humane treatment and legal reforms. Whether a candidate is committed to border security depends on the specific policies and measures they propose, not solely on how they categorize undocumented immigrants.