In a recent interview with Elon Musk, former President Donald Trump launched a barrage of critiques aimed at Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly focusing on her record regarding immigration and border security.
Allegations of Border Crossings
Trump asserted that 20 million migrants had illegally crossed the southern border during President Joe Biden’s tenure. However, this figure contrasts sharply with data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which indicated approximately 8.1 million migrant encounters since Biden took office, peaking at about 10 million nationwide from February 2021 to June 2024.
Trump claimed that “millions” are entering the U.S. monthly, which also doesn’t resonate with official statistics. For instance, CBP reported 205,019 encounters in June alone.
Additionally, he mentioned without substantiation that other nations were sending prisoners to the U.S. to circumvent immigration laws.
Border Statistics Misunderstood
During his rally in Pennsylvania, Trump cited a chart that he claimed showed optimal illegal immigration numbers during his presidency, alleging it helped save his life during an assassination attempt. However, the data presented was misleading; January 2021 recorded around 75,000 encounters, while encounters under Biden’s administration were lower in July 2024 at approximately 57,000.
The chart included data going back to 2012, showing illegal crossings peaked in 2023 and was detailed with annotations on various policy shifts, including DACA and tariffs. While crossings did fall sharply during the onset of the pandemic, they had not been the lowest at the end of Trump’s term.
Questioning Harris’s Role
Trump repeatedly called Harris the “border czar,” a title she was never officially assigned, although she did play a role in immigration policy. Despite this, Trump emphasized her importance in managing the situation, challenging her claims of minimal involvement.
Harris was tasked with improving diplomatic ties with Central American countries to reduce migration by addressing root causes.
Venezuelan Crime Claims
Trump also claimed that crime in Venezuela dropped by 72% due to a supposed exodus of criminals to the U.S., a statement he backed up with no evidence. While the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence does show a decline in violent deaths, attributing this decline solely to migration is overly simplistic.
Research shows American citizens are statistically more likely to commit crimes than migrants. Experts suggest that Trump’s statements on immigration often lean towards exaggeration and misinformation, designed to stoke fear and distrust in Harris’s capabilities on the issue.
Despite the claims made during the interview, Trump’s narrative may not have gained the traction he hoped for, with critiques highlighting his earlier influence in obstructing bipartisan border legislation aimed at stricter controls.