Nikki Haley makes campaign stop in San Antonio on Friday

Haley appeared at meet-and-greet event at Viva Villa

SAN ANTONIO – Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley made a campaign stop in San Antonio on Friday.

Haley appeared at a meet-and-greet event at Viva Villa, where she was welcomed by local supporters. She was introduced by former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus.

The former South Carolina governor said that during her time in office, she helped cut double-digit unemployment to single digits and lured automotive and other plants to that state.

Haley addressed the border issue, blaming the Biden administration for something that she said she “truly can’t believe we allowed this to happen in the United States.”

The GOP candidate added that she agrees with Gov. Greg Abbott’s decisions to send migrants to sanctuary cities.

“Everybody needs to know what Eagle Pass is going through. Everybody needs to feel what Texas is feeling,” she said.

Haley said she wants to implement an e-verify program that was started in South Carolina that would require businesses to prove their workers are legal residents.

Her visit comes less than three weeks before the March 5 Primary in Texas, where she is desperately seeking a win to keep her presidential hopes alive.

Former President Donald Trump, who has long been the front-runner in the GOP presidential race, won three states in a row and is looking to use South Carolina’s Feb. 24 primary to close out Haley’s chances and turn his focus fully on an expected rematch with President Joe Biden in the general election.

Prior to her visit to San Antonio, Haley will attend a rally in Dallas on Thursday. She also plans to visit Houston.

Editor’s Note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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About the Author

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.

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