White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is being asked about her claim that the Texas governor’s vow to send migrants to the nation’s capital is a publicity stunt.
On Wednesday, Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich noted, “The first bus of migrants arrived in D.C. today. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott making good on his promise to send migrants to the president’s doorstep. I think you previously called it a publicity stunt.”
She asked, “Is that still the view of the White House? Can you give us any reaction to this busload of migrants arriving here in D.C.?”
“Well, these are all migrants who have been processed by CBP and are free to travel,” Psaki responded.
She added, “So, it’s nice the state of Texas is helping them get to their final destination as they await the outcome of their immigration proceedings. And they’re all in immigration proceedings.”
Watch the video below:
.@JacquiHeinrich asks Psaki for the White House's reaction to the first busload of migrants that Greg Abbott sent to DC:
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) April 13, 2022
"It's nice the state of Texas is helping them get to their final destination." pic.twitter.com/7IU2Ri4HEP
At an April 6 press conference, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said the state would charter buses to send illegal immigrants to Washington, D.C.
“We are sending them to the United States Capitol where the Biden administration will be able to more immediately address the needs of the people that they are allowing to come across our border,” Abbott said.
When asked last week if the administration had plans to respond to busloads of migrants being sent to the capital, Psaki said, “I’m not aware of what authority the governor would be doing that under.”
“I think it’s pretty clear that this is a publicity stunt. His own office admits that a migrant would need to voluntarily be transported. And he can’t compel them to because, again, enforcement of our country’s immigration laws lies with the federal government,” she added.
However, on Wednesday, the first busload of migrants arrived in Washington, D.C.
The Texas governor tweeted Wednesday, “First Texas bus drops off illegal immigrants blocks from US Capitol in Washington, DC. Biden refuses to come see the mess he’s made at the border.”
“So Texas is bringing the border to him,” he added.
First Texas bus drops off illegal immigrants blocks from US Capitol in Washington, DC.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 13, 2022
Biden refuses to come see the mess he’s made at the border.
So Texas is bringing the border to him.https://t.co/wHZkwnD305
On April 1, the Biden administration announced it would end an immigration order known as Title 42, which allowed for the majority of migrants who cross the southern border to be expelled, on May 23.
News about the decision to lift the order sparked concern that there will be a massive surge of migrants attempting to cross the border.
According to CNN, “The Department of Homeland Security is preparing for a worst-case scenario of up to 18,000 people trying to cross the border daily, a number sure to overwhelm the already full border facilities.”
