VP Harris visits an El Paso border patrol facility

"Lets recognize with a sense of humanity that these issues must be addressed in a way that is informed by fact and informed by reality," Harris said.

The visit - her first since becoming vice president five months ago - came amid a rise in migrants caught crossing the border, which has sparked outrage from Republicans who favor the stricter immigration policies implemented by former President Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden, a Democrat, tasked Harris with spearheading his administration's handling of the broader issue of people fleeing Central American countries for the United States. She visited Guatemala and Mexico earlier this month.