WATCH Kamala Harris urges Americans to not say ‘Merry Christmas’ in resurfaced video
WASHINGTON, DC: When Kamala Harris was Governor of California, she had cautioned Americans against saying "Merry Christmas" until certain undocumented immigrants got permanent status. This was during a dispute under Donald Trump's administration over protection for those who had arrived in the US as minors.
"And when we all sing happy tunes, and sing Merry Christmas, and wish each other Merry Christmas, these children are not going to have a Merry Christmas. How dare we speak Merry Christmas? How dare we? They will not have a Merry Christmas."
Harris made this statement during a 2017 press conference, footage of which was later acquired by Fox News Digital.
Kamala Harris criticized Donald Trump's termination of DACA program
There have been calls for the adoption of the Dream Act, also known as the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, a legislation that would create a pathway to citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US as children, as reported by NBC News.
During a press conference in December 2017, Harris denounced then-President Donald Trump's announcement of the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
2017 Flashback: Harris fumed at Americans for saying 'Merry Christmas' before illegal migrants receive amnesty pic.twitter.com/ohQ2Z4Cmdf
— Blue Owl (@BlueOwlHoots) August 1, 2024
This program had provided protection from deportation for certain undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US as minors.
Harris criticized the decision as "morally wrong" for stripping away the protections established by the executive order during Barack Obama's presidency.
Donald Trump urged Congress to negotiate a deal that would extend certain protections along with stricter enforcement measures, such as building a wall on the southern border.
However, as Congress grappled with finalizing an agreement, liberal activists and Democrats expressed concerns that undocumented immigrants were confronting uncertainty during the Christmas period due to the potential loss of their protections.
"They don't know if they will be here in a matter of days, weeks and months," Harris said. "Since September 5, over 12,000 have lost their status... And for that reason, we must get this done, and we must get it done before the end of this year. No January, no February, no March, now."
Kamala Harris advocates for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants
Kamala Harris has advocated for a pathway to citizenship for a wider range of undocumented immigrants, both as a presidential candidate and as Vice President. This includes individuals who arrived in the US as children, farm workers, recipients of Temporary Protected Status, among others.
From the outset, the Biden administration introduced a comprehensive immigration reform bill that proposes a pathway to citizenship. Officials, including Vice President Harris, have consistently advocated for the passage of this bill by Congress.
However, Republicans have resisted the proposal, especially in light of the current crisis at the southern border.
Harris has faced criticism for her involvement in the administration's outreach on border-related issues, which resulted in her being labeled as the "border czar"—a moniker she has disavowed.
"Kamala Harris was appointed border czar, as you know, in March 2021, and since that time, millions and millions of illegal aliens have invaded our country, and countless Americans have been killed by migrant crime because of her willful demolition of American borders and laws," former president Trump said during a press call last week.
The Harris campaign has responded by highlighting the differences between her record and that of Trump's tenure in office.
"The only ‘plan’ Donald Trump has to secure our border is ripping mothers from their children and a few xenophobic placards at the Republican National Convention," Harris campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said.
"He tanked the toughest bipartisan border security deal in a generation because, for Donald Trump, this has never been about actually securing the border — it’s always about himself," he went on to say.
Munoz concluded, "He can make up whatever lies he wants, but the fact is there’s only one candidate in this race who will fight for real solutions to help secure our nation’s border, and that’s Vice President Harris."
Internet reacts to Kamala Harris' remarks in flashback video
As soon as Kamala Harris' 2017 video resurfaced on the internet, social media users started criticizing her.
A user wrote, "Illegal immigrants are more important to Kamala than Americans so don't dare say Merry Christmas until Americans make these Illegal immigrants citizens.. Fixed it for ya."
Illegal immigrants are more important to Kamala than Americans so don't dare say Merry Christmas until Americans make these Illegal immigrants citizens.. Fixed it for ya
— John (@JECar1973) August 2, 2024
Another user slammed her saying, "Kamala Harris is a fracking idiot."
The third commentator wrote, "Oh great we’ve hit the “we can’t say Merry Christmas anymore” part of the cycle. Republicans really have nothing on Kamala Harris that can stick lmao."
Oh great we’ve hit the “we can’t say Merry Christmas anymore” part of the cycle.
— Franklin (@franklinisbored) August 1, 2024
Republicans really have nothing on Kamala Harris that can stick lmao
"She is awful," one commented.
A person claimed, "Democrats hate Christians."
Other chimed in, "Oh, how the atheists on the Left hate Christmas and Christians!"
Oh, how the atheists on the Left hate Christmas and Christians!
— HisWay (@NoWayHiWay1) August 2, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.