White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insists those who are claiming the U.S.-Mexico border is “open” are helping smugglers prey on migrants.
On Thursday, a reporter asked the press secretary about a report there are 50,000 migrants in Mexico waiting to cross into the U.S. when Title 42 expires.
“Is that accurate? And would that overwhelm the Border Patrol?” he asked.
Jean-Pierre responded, “Look, I don’t have a number for you at this time. What I can say is that smugglers will try to spread misinformation to take advantage of these vulnerable migrants.”
“The fact is the removal of Title 42 does not mean the border is open. Anyone who suggests otherwise is simply doing the work of these smugglers — who again are spreading misinformation which is very dangerous,” she continued.
Watch the video below:
A reporter asks about the estimated 50,000 migrants in Mexico waiting to cross the border if Title 42 ends.
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) December 19, 2022
Jean-Pierre: "The removal of Title 42 does not mean the border is open. Anyone who suggests otherwise is simply doing the work of these smugglers." pic.twitter.com/K9sRFSxVWv
Jean-Pierre explained once Title 42 is no longer in place, the country will revert to Title 8 which “allows a process to make sure that people can make their asylum claims heard.”
“Those who do not have a legal basis to remain will be quickly removed. And so we will continue to fully enforce our immigration laws in a fair, orderly, and humane manner,”she added.
Her comments come as officials are bracing for a potential influx of migrants at the border once Title 42 expires on Dec. 21.
The policy is a public health order which has allowed officials to quickly deport migrants. It was implemented in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
Several Republican-led states launched legal challenges to try to keep Title 42 in place. However, on Friday, a federal appeals court declined to keep the order in place, and the administration will stop enforcing it on Wednesday.
ABC News’ Marth Raddatz also suggested Republicans may be fueling the situation at the border.
“You talk about the border wall, you talk about open borders, I don’t think I’ve ever heard President Biden say, ‘We have an open border, come on over,'” she told Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) during an interview that aired on Sunday.
In case you missed it:
While interviewing Texas Gov. Abbott, ABC reporter Martha Raddatz blames Abbott, Trump, and DeSantis for the border crisis. pic.twitter.com/G0AnswRxuc
— Catch Up (@CatchUpFeed) December 19, 2022
She added, “The people I have heard say it are you, are former President Trump, Ron DeSantis. That message reverberates in Mexico and beyond. So they do get the message that it is an open border.”