White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday responded to questions about the first batch of migrants arriving in D.C. from Texas in buses.
During the press briefing, Psaki was asked whether the Biden administration had any reaction to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to send illegal immigrants to the nation’s capital.
“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 Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich.
“Well, these are all migrants who have been processed by CBP and are free to travel,” Psaki responded, “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.”
This comes after Abbott announced last week that Texas would be sending migrants to Washington, D.C. by bus and plane after growing frustration from local leaders.
“To help local officials whose communities are being overwhelmed by hordes of illegal immigrants who are being dropped off by the administration, Texas is providing charter buses to send these illegal immigrants who have been dropped off by the Biden Administration to Washington, DC,” Abbott said during a news conference.
Abbott’s plan is a response to President Joe Biden’s recent announcement that the government would be lifting Title 42, a controversial policy implemented by former President Donald Trump back in March 2020 that allowed the U.S. Border Patrol to turn migrants away.
The order has since been used by both the Trump and Biden administration, with the latter arguing that it was necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19 inside border detention facilities. In February, approximately 55% of migrants were expelled due to Title 42, rather than being released into the country.
The border agency has expressed concern that lifting the order could lead to a possible surge in illegal immigrants that could overwhelm them. They also claim that a large number of migrants in Mexican cities are currently waiting for the policy to drop.
