Summary
Ken Salazar, U.S. ambassador to Mexico under President Joe Biden, expresses frustration with the White House's handling of the southern border in his forthcoming book, Borderlands: My Fight for an Inclusive America, set for release on July 28. Salazar criticizes the administration for not appointing a border czar, not labeling the situation a crisis early enough, and for Vice President Kamala Harris's perceived ineffectiveness on the issue.
Key Details
- Salazar says he repeatedly requested a border czar to coordinate interagency efforts; the position was not created, and Harris was designated to address root causes of migration.
- He claims the White House was slow to publicly call the situation a crisis, which he believes harmed Democrats electorally.
- In July 2024, after Biden's debate performance, Salazar considered running for president but did not follow through after Harris became the nominee.
- Salazar met with several potential 2028 Democratic candidates, including Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, to promote his "borderlands platform."
- His platform advocates for a North American alliance with Canada and Mexico on supply chains, joint border patrols, and cultural exchanges.
- Salazar asserts that the Biden administration's policies on immigration were a factor in Donald Trump's election victory.
Statements from Salazar
"There was political failure to understand the reality of the crisis at the border, and the political consequence it would have on Democrats in the 2024 election."
On Harris: "She had been placed in charge of getting at the 'root causes' of migration, but many felt she had been ineffective...she had been unable to help with the border and migration crisis."
Salazar claims Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told him he had too much on his plate to focus on messaging, though Mayorkas declined to comment.
He describes the border as "antiquated, under-resourced, underdeveloped, insecure, and broken," adding "in this, Trump had been correct."
Background
- Biden issued an executive order in June 2024 restricting border crossings, which Salazar supported but considered too late.
- Salazar's book arrives amid public skepticism of Trump's mass deportation plans, though Republicans still hold an advantage on immigration trust.
- Former First Lady Jill Biden has also released a memoir about the 2024 campaign, and Joe Biden is expected to publish a book soon.
Significance
Salazar's account highlights internal Democratic disagreements on immigration strategy and may influence party debate ahead of the 2028 election.