Vice President Kamala Harris’s advocacy for green cards for Afghan nationals sparks security debate amid immigration reform discussions. American citizens are concerned over the growing number of immigrants who have been crossing the border without any background checks. Crime rates have been skyrocketing, especially in sanctuary cities. Immigration is still an important issue during the 2024 election as voter believes Trump had tough border laws during his presidency compared to the Biden-Harris administration.
Harris Pushes for Afghan Green Cards Amid Security Concerns
Vice President Kamala Harris is advocating for a plan to provide tens of thousands of Afghan nationals with green cards following the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan. This move comes as part of a larger push for immigration reform, but it has sparked a heated debate over national security and the adequacy of vetting procedures.
The Biden-Harris administration has already resettled nearly 100,000 Afghan nationals in American communities. However, federal audits and whistleblower testimonies have highlighted serious lapses in the vetting process. A Department of Homeland Security report indicated that many individuals were resettled without thorough background checks, raising concerns about potential security risks.
So far, Biden/Harris administration officials have declined to discuss what was done to vet this person. DHS said in a statement:
"Afghan evacuees who sought to enter the United States were subject to multi layered screening and vetting against intelligence, law enforcement,… https://t.co/PT69suxPA8
— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) October 9, 2024
Bipartisan Efforts and Criticism
A Senate bill, supported by Senators James Lankford, Kyrsten Sinema, and Chris Murphy, aims to facilitate permanent residency for Afghans. The legislation proposes an “earned pathway to citizenship” and promises improved border security measures. However, critics argue that prioritizing green cards for Afghan nationals overlooks security risks due to insufficient vetting.
“We can create an earned pathway to citizenship and secure our border,” Harris said during the Democratic National Convention in August.
A Defense Department Inspector General’s report flagged dozens of evacuees with significant security concerns. Adding to the controversy, some individuals admitted under the program have disappeared into U.S. communities, raising monitoring concerns.
Immigration as a Key Election Issue
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, immigration has become a central issue. Both Harris and former President Donald Trump have adopted tougher stances on border security, albeit with different approaches.
“I will bring back the bipartisan border security bill that he killed, and I will sign it into law,” Harris said at the DNC.
Harris supports a bipartisan border security deal, emphasizing both border security and legal pathways to citizenship. Her proposed border security bill includes increased asylum requirements and funding for border enforcement. In contrast, Trump focuses on mass deportations, ending birthright citizenship, and reinstating policies from his previous administration, such as building a border wall and implementing travel bans.
Ongoing Scrutiny of Afghanistan Withdrawal
The debate over Afghan green cards is taking place against the backdrop of continued scrutiny of the Biden-Harris administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul released a comprehensive report titled “Willful Blindness: An Assessment of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Chaos that Followed.” The investigation claims the administration failed to plan for the Afghan government’s collapse, impacting the safe evacuation of U.S. personnel and allies.
As the discussion on immigration reform and national security continues, the issue of green cards for Afghan nationals remains a contentious topic. With the 2024 election on the horizon, it is likely to play a significant role in shaping the political landscape and policy debates in the coming months.
