Jen Psaki calls ‘confusion’ surrounding Kamala Harris’ role in dealing with the migrant crisis ‘perplexing’ as she says immigration policy has never been a ‘one woman’ job
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that the ‘confusion’ surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris’ role in dealing with the migrant crisis is ‘perplexing,’ arguging immigration policy has never been a ‘one-woman’ job.
During Thursday’s briefing, a reporter pointed to criticism of Harris coming from Republicans and asked if the White House viewed the vice president’s diplomatic role as being ‘disconnected’ from the border.
‘All respect to you, but this confusion is very perplexing to me,’ Psaki answered. ‘I have to be honest.’
Press secretary Jen Psaki said the ‘confusion’ surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris’ role in dealing with the migrant crisis is ‘perplexing’ as Republicans have demanded the VP visit the border, despite her being tasked with handling relations with the Northern Triangle
Psaki pointed out that the country’s immigration system has never been under ‘one woman’ control and said that Harris (pictured) would be one of several players dealing with the migrant increase
A family of Central American immigrants walk to shore after crossing the United States via the Rio Grande River on Wednesday. Harris has been tasked with dealing with the root causes of migration not border security
Psaki then pointed out how President Joe Biden, when serving as President Barack Obama’s vice president, ran point on the Northern Triangle countries – Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras – during those eight years.
Biden has assigned Harris the same task.
Republicans, however, have been taking trips to the U.S.-Mexico border and asking why Harris hasn’t make the trek as well amid the migrant surge.
Her first trip abroad will be to Mexico and then onto those Northern Triangle countries, the White House previously announced.
‘It is not a one-woman, even a one-woman job, it is a multi-high-level official job,’ Psaki also explained.
The press secretary was originally asked who the point person on the border now was with Amb. Roberta Jacobson leaving her role at the end of April.
‘Secretary Mayorkas is playing, obviously, a significant role, overseeing the Border Patrol facilities, overseeing a lot of steps and policy proposals that are coming about the border. The secretary of Health and Human Services oversees the shelters,’ she continued, referencing Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. ‘This is an interagency process as it should be and as it has always been.’
Unaccompanied migrant children go from Customs and Border Protection facilities to those run by HHS.
Becerra testified to Congress Thursday that HHS is suffering from a space crunch, with the recent surge in child arrivals.
‘There has been an influx. We are finding that we are placing some of these children temporarily in these emergency sites. They still offer those basic services that we would expect for any child,’ Becerra told lawmakers. ‘And we trying to increase the number of intake workers that can help process these children so we can get them placed.’
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