VP Harris Dodges Question About Migrant Children: ‘I Haven’t Been Briefed On Anything Today About It’
Vice President Kamala Harris refused to answer a question about the escalating migrant crisis at the US-Mexico border — and how it’s impacting unaccompanied minors after it’s been reported that thousands of children are being apprehended at the border in recent weeks.
“I haven’t been briefed on anything about it yet, but I will when I get on the plane,” the Democratic vice president said in her brief response to reporters before boarding a plane in Colorado.
NEW: Before boarding her plane to head back to DC, @VP Kamala Harris is asked if she is worried about the migrant children at the US/ Mexico Border.
Harris said, "I haven't been briefed on anything today about it, but I will when I get on the plane."
— Tim Perry (@tperry518) March 16, 2021
Her non-comment came as the administration struggled to explain the situation at the southern border as the government of President Joe Biden continues to play hardball in calling the border situation a “crisis.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki recently acknowledged that the surge of migrants in the US-Mexico border is a “big problem” — but still refuses to call it a crisis.
“We recognize this is a big problem,” Psaki told reporters in a briefing this week.
“It doesn’t matter what you call it. It is an enormous challenge,” Psaki said, noting that the Biden administration “don’t feel the need to … play games with what it’s called.”
During a White House briefing Monday, @PressSec Jen Psaki called the more than 4,000 unaccompanied minors in #Border Patrol custody a "big problem." Now, male teenage immigrants will be sent to Dallas for up to 90 days beginning as early as this week. https://t.co/MW4re7rreN
— ABC 27 (@abc27) March 15, 2021
Biden also earlier maintained that “there is no crisis” as his Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Alejandro Mayorkas also refused to tag the situation where the administration can no longer keep up with border surge of migrants a “crisis” — but rather a “challenge.”
Biden to immigrants: “Don’t come”
As Psaki insisted that the administration has “a hold of the situation,”Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that it had encountered at least 100,441 individuals in February, representing a 28% increase over January.
Of those, the CBP said 19,246 individuals were in family units, 9,457 were unaccompanied children (UACs) and 71,598 were single adults.
In particular, UACs have been arriving at the southern border at rates faster than officials can process and transfer to sponsor homes. CBS News reported that more than 13,000 young migrants are being held in US custody for an average of 120 hours.
Ironically, as the Democratic administration continues to downplay the border situation and maintains that everything is under control — President Biden is discouraging those wanting to enter the United States.
“I can say quite clearly don’t come over,” Biden told George Stephanopoulos in an interview Tuesday. “Don’t leave your town or city or community.”
BIDEN: “The idea that Joe Biden said come — I heard the other day that [migrants] are coming because they know I’m a nice guy.”@GStephanopoulos: “They’re saying this.”
BIDEN: “Yeah, well here’s the deal, they’re not.”
pic.twitter.com/8PobO2FHae— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 16, 2021
He also denied that the influx of immigrants is due to his immigration “messaging” — which has been more welcoming compared to the former administration under President Donald Trump.
Harris slammed on social media over response
Meanwhile, as VP Harris dodged the immigration question that she was asked, her critics fired back on social media and blasted her — for keeping silent on the issue she used to be vocally passionate about.
“When Trump was President, Harris railed against ‘putting babies in cages at the border,’” one user wrote on Twitter.
When Trump was President, Harris railed against "putting babies in cages at the border." via @TPInsidr https://t.co/VK8KNSo4sZ
— Wayne Dupree Media, LLC (@WayneDupreeShow) March 17, 2021
“NEWS NOW: Mainstream Media Is Silent as Biden Illegally Holds Unaccompanied Migrant Children In Border Patrol Custody Longer Than LEGALLY ALLOWED says Head Of The Border Patrol Union. Circle Back: “It’s inhuman to keep children in cages” Kamala Harris,” another said.
NEWS NOW: Mainstream Media Is Silent as Biden Illegally Holds Unaccompanied Migrant Children In Border Patrol Custody Longer Than LEGALLY ALLOWED says Head Of The Border Patrol Union. Circle Back: “It’s inhuman to keep children in cages” Kamala Harris
— 😈 Tartarus 😈®️ (@TartarusRespawn) February 24, 2021
“@AOC Did your handlers read you the news today? There are still children in cages at the border. Obama couldn’t save ‘em, Trump didn’t get the chance, and Harris ain’t the POTUS yet, so IT’S UP TO YOU NOW!” another post said, tagging Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, another vocal critic of Trump’s immigration policies.
https://twitter.com/RogerStevensin/status/1372246125479088134
“Border Patrol caught 4 people on the terror watch list, but how many didn’t they catch?” one user said.
Border Patrol caught 4 people on the terror watch list, but how many didn't they catch?https://t.co/X6LrYWtc4u
— David J Harris Jr (@DavidJHarrisJr) March 17, 2021
“Border agents feel they are under ‘gag order’ from the Biden administration. Why is @JoeBiden and Harris afraid of the public knowing what is happening?,” another comment read.
Border agents feel they are under "gag order" from Biden administration Why is @JoeBiden and Harris afraid of the public knowing what is happening? https://t.co/TjQKkz9zXt via @nbcnews
— Wendy Spickerman 📢 (@wspickerman) March 17, 2021
“She’s lying, no way she doesn’t know exactly what the Harris/Biden policies have caused at the border,” another user commented.
She's lying, no way she doesn't know exactly what the Harris/Biden policies have caused at the border. https://t.co/l80ssUi9On
— Mary G (@45ringmaster) March 17, 2021
