Harris on Her 2019 Positions for Illegal Immigrants: 'That Was Five Years Ago' (October 16, 2024)

Bret Baier asked Vice President Kamala Harris about her old promises to illegal immigrants. “Baier pressed Harris on whether she still holds to her 2019 positions of supporting free tuition, drivers’ licenses, and free healthcare for illegal immigrants,” The American Conservative reported of the Fox News interview on Oct. 16, 2024 [2].

“Harris indicated she no longer supports decriminalizing crossing the border illegally, as she did in 2019,” The Associated Press reported. “‘That was five years ago and I am very clear that I will follow the law,’ she said. She gave the same answer about proposals to allow those in the U.S. illegally to get driver’s licenses and subsidized healthcare.” [1]

The video above shows the interview. Quotes are from The Associated Press, The American Conservative, the National Archives and GovInfo [1][2][3][4].

”May I Please Finish?”

It was her first interview on the network. “Harris’ interview marked her first foray onto the network, which is popular with conservative viewers, as she looked to broaden her outreach to GOP-leaning voters with less than three weeks until Election Day,” AP reported [1].

“Her nearly 30-minute sit-down with Baier repeatedly grew heated, with the two talking over each other,” AP reported. When Baier pressed on immigration, Harris said: “May I please finish? … You have to let me finish, please.” [1]

“A Broken Immigration System”

Baier asked how many illegal immigrants had entered the country under Biden. “‘We have a broken immigration system that needs to be repaired,’ Harris replied to a question asking how many illegal aliens had entered the country since Biden took office,” The American Conservative reported [2].

The outlet reported that she also avoided a question on whether she regretted the administration ending the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” policy [2].

On her 2019 position, Harris said: “I do not believe in decriminalizing border crossings, and I’ve not done that as vice president, and I will not do that as president.” [2]

“I Am So Sorry for Her Loss”

Baier played footage of a grieving mother. “‘I am so sorry for her loss, sincerely,’ Harris said after Baier played footage of the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray blaming Biden and Harris for her daughter’s death,” AP reported [1].

”Not a Continuation of Joe Biden’s Presidency”

Harris tried to separate herself from Biden. “A week after saying she couldn’t think of any move made by Biden that she would have done differently, Harris asserted, ‘My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency,’” AP reported. “Harris did not offer specifics.” [1]

Asked about Biden’s mental fitness after his debate, “She again defended Biden, but added, ‘Joe Biden is not on the ballot and Donald Trump is,’” AP reported [1].

”Fresh and New Ideas”

What would be different? “Harris did not offer specifics, but said, ‘Like every new president that comes into office, I will bring my life experiences, and my professional experiences and fresh and new ideas,’” AP reported [1].

At one point, she pushed back on Baier’s questions. “I would like if we could have a conversation that is grounded in a full assessment of the facts,” Harris said, according to AP [1].

“Harris also doubled down on her comments that Iran is the chief adversary of the United States,” The American Conservative reported. “I was there, I was recently in the situation room in the most recent attack, working with the heads of our military, and doing what America must always do to defend and to support Israel in its requirement to defend itself,” Harris said [2].

”Angry, Defensive”

The Trump campaign was blunt. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Harris was “angry, defensive, and once again abdicated any responsibility for the problems Americans are facing,” AP reported. Leavitt added that if “Kamala can’t handle the pressure of an interview with Fox News, she certainly can’t handle the pressure of being president of the United States.” [1]

“Since the release of the interview, Baier has claimed that Harris’s team arrived to the interview late, and that Harris’s staffers were waving for him to end the interview early, preventing him from asking all of his intended questions,” The American Conservative reported [2].

By the Numbers

Nearly 30: minutes of the interview, per AP [1].
2019: the year of the positions Baier asked about [2].
Less than 3 weeks: until Election Day, per AP [1].
312-226: the 2024 Electoral College result, Donald Trump over Harris [3].

What Happened Next

Voters chose Trump. Three weeks later, Harris lost. The National Archives lists the 2024 result as “Electoral Vote Winner: 312 Main Opponent: 226.” [3]

The Laken Riley Act became law. On Jan. 29, 2025, Trump signed Public Law 119-1, “An Act To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft, and for other purposes.” [4]

It covers illegal immigrants charged with “any burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, or assault of a law enforcement officer offense, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person.” [4]

For Trump’s roast of Harris for skipping the Al Smith dinner the next night, see HYGO News’ page on Oct. 17, 2024. For the White House on FEMA and migrants that month, see the page on Oct. 4, 2024.