White House press secretary Jen Psaki responded to the first busload of migrants being sent to Washington, D.C., by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) during Wednesday’s media briefing.
Psaki was asked whether the Biden administration had any reaction to the arrival of the migrants by Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich.
“The first bus of migrants arrived in DC 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,’ 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.?” asked Heinrich.
“Well, these are all migrants who have been processed by CBP and are free to travel,” responded Psaki, “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 are all on immigration proceedings.”
She went on to call it a “political stunt.”
Abbott announced the program during a media briefing last week in response to the administration dropping the Title 42 policy that placed restrictions on asylum seekers due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is widely accepted that a massive wave of migrants will pour over the border once the policy is lifted.
“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’re allowing to come across our border,” said Abbott at the time.
Some criticized Abbott when Texas authorities admitted that any migrants taking the bus trip to the Capitol would do so voluntarily.
“His own office admits that a migrant would need to voluntarily be transported, and then he can’t compel them to because, again, enforcement of our country’s immigration laws lies with the federal government and not a state,” said Psaki last week.
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