A Massachusetts lawmaker astonished a CNN host during an interview after making a claim that the “border is secure.”
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) shocked CNN host Jake Tapper during an interview on Wednesday after she insisted the border was under control, even after she contradicted herself by admitting there was a “humanitarian crisis” due to an increase in migrants crossing the border.
“No doubt about it, our border is secure,” Pressley told Tapper. “And, we’re in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. And, we have to fix our broken system.”
Democrat Rep. Ayanna Pressley *insists* "our border is secure" pic.twitter.com/HrAalHjJAL
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“You think the border is secure? Or it is not secure?” Tapper asked Pressley to clarify her answer.
Pressley reiterated that she believes “we are in the midst of a humanitarian crisis and there needs to be federal investment to support those migrant families.”
“This is a humanitarian crisis and its the consequence of a number of longstanding broken policies that you know, are very consequential for asylum seekers, TPS holders, and DACA recipients,” Pressley continued.
Tapper asked Pressley for clarification regarding her statement a second time, while indicating that he agreed that this was a humanitarian crisis.
“Just to get some clarity on this, and sure, it’s a conversation for another day. Do you think that the border is secure? Is that what you said?” Tapper asked Pressley, appearing confused.
Once again, Pressley told Tapper, “Yes, the border is secure and we’re in the midst of a humanitarian crisis that has been created by a broken system.”
Tapper questioned Pressley on how the border could be secure when “millions of undocumented migrants” have been entering the country.
Border Patrol officials have reported more than 1.8 million encounters with migrants crossing the border over the past 12 months. In August, Border Patrol agents reported 181,059 migrant encounters, according to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.