San Francisco, California – A California woman who was a victim of a violent attack at the hands of an undocumented immigrant in 2008 is speaking out against Vice President Kamala Harris. The incident occurred when Amanda Kiefer was walking with friends in San Francisco and was targeted by 20-year-old Alexander Izaguirre, who stole her purse and then tried to run her down in a waiting SUV, fracturing her skull.
Izaguirre, who was in the country illegally, had been previously arrested on drug charges but was released through a program launched by Harris, who was the San Francisco District Attorney at the time. This program allowed non-violent offenders to avoid jail time and participate in job training with the possibility of having their records expunged.
Now, 15 years after the attack, Kiefer is speaking out about her experience for the first time, stating that the incident served as a “wake-up call” for her. The situation has garnered renewed attention as the Republican National Committee released a campaign ad targeting Harris, accusing her of being lenient on illegal immigration even before her time as vice president.
Kiefer, who is now 45 years old, highlighted the impact of the attack, emphasizing the importance of policies that prioritize public safety. She expressed disapproval of programs that allow individuals who have committed crimes to avoid prison and instead focus on job training, especially if they are unable to legally hold employment.
Harris, in the past, acknowledged flaws in the program she implemented, known as “Back on Track,” which aimed to be “smart on crime.” She recognized that allowing illegal immigrants to remain free while participating in the program was a design flaw that went against its intended purpose of promoting lawful employment.
Critics of Harris, including former Border Patrol Union Chief Brandon Judd, have accused her of failing to address the root causes of illegal immigration effectively. Despite being tasked by President Biden to lead efforts in that area, Harris has faced criticism for not implementing necessary policies to combat the ongoing crisis at the border.
The experience for Kiefer served as a turning point in her political views, leading her to abandon her liberal beliefs and support candidates like former President Trump. The Harris campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.