In a recent report on infighting within the Biden administration over the ongoing border crisis, a former senior official has criticized Vice President Kamala Harris' approach to immigration and the border, calling it "at best ineffective." The report, published by Axios, highlighted Harris' focus on addressing root causes and factors driving immigration from the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

According to the former official, Harris and her aides made it clear from the beginning that her responsibilities started and ended with working on these root causes, distancing herself from directly managing the border crisis. The official suggested that Harris did not see it as her responsibility and failed to fill the breach.

Harris herself blamed Republicans for playing politics with regard to the crisis during a recent interview with Katie Couric, with Couric noting that the Vice President was not in charge of the border, but responsible for understanding the root causes. This exchange highlighted the divide in responsibilities and approach within the administration.

The report from Axios also shed light on the turmoil within the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis. The Department of Homeland Security imposed a 100-day pause on deportations on President Biden's first day in office, a decision reportedly opposed by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas at the time. This decision added to the challenges faced by Harris in addressing the crisis.

Additionally, the report highlighted clashes between Harris and former Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice. Some Harris aides reportedly found Rice to be disrespectful and dismissive towards the Vice President, referring to her as just a "staffer." Rice, in turn, allegedly called Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra a derogatory term over his reluctance to find more space in child migrant shelters.

President Biden himself expressed frustration with his aides over the crisis during a visit to the southern border in January 2023. Aboard Air Force One, Biden reportedly criticized former Deputy Chief of Staff Jen O'Malley Dillon and Homeland Security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall for their handling of the situation. His aides, in turn, expressed frustration over the President's irritability, believing it hindered decision-making.

The infighting and criticism within the Biden administration over the immigration and border crisis highlighted the challenges faced in finding effective solutions. As the situation at the border continues, it remains to be seen how the administration will address the ongoing crisis and work towards comprehensive immigration reform.