President biden
Joe BidenBiden hampered by lack of confirmations Louisiana’s special election to replace Richmond leads the second round Larry Summers explosions .9 T stimulus as ‘less responsible’ economic policy in 40 years MORESecretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas
Alejandro MayorkasNumber of migrant children in US custody has exceeded 15,000: Sunday report shows previous: Biden administration struggles against border increase; US mourns shooting victims in Atlanta Mexico launches measures to limit Guatemalan border crossings MORE, Fox News presenter in confrontation Chris Wallace
12:30 Report by Christopher (Chris) WallaceThe Hill – Presented by Facebook – What’s happening on the border with the United States The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden is going to hit the road, proclaims the COVID- relief law 19 Fauci asks Trump to tell supporters to get vaccinated MORE on Sunday, in the press, access to the facilities of the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) where migrant children are housed before being transferred to the accommodation of the Human and Health Services (HHS).
During an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Wallace asked Mayorkas why reporters did not have access to CBP facilities, particularly during his recent trip to the border with a Congressional delegation.
Mayorkas responded by citing concerns related to COVID-19, adding that the administration is “working on providing images” of CBP’s facilities to news organizations.
Wallace countered that the pandemic of more than a year represented an “excuse” for not allowing reporters in, and said there should be a safe way for a reporter and a film crew to have access.
“We are working to provide access so that individuals can see what conditions are like inside a Border Patrol facility,” Mayorkas told Wallace.
“Certainly, reporters can see the Health and Human Services shelters, where children are accommodated for longer periods of time,” he added.
The comments of the DHS secretary were later mocked in the program by Sen. Tom Cotton
Tom Bryant CottonSunday shows the preview: the Biden administration fights against the increase of the border; US lament victims of shooting in Atlanta Republican Party senators introduce bill to push tougher trade stance against China. Republican Party seizes measures to ban trans athletes. (R-Ark.), Who beat Mayorkas for appearing, albeit virtually, on Wallace’s show.
“It is good that Secretary Mayorkas does not let the press travel with him … but he will be on his program,” said Cotton.
Mayorkas faced similar questions during an interview on Sunday at “Meet The Press” and called the claim that Border Patrol agents were under an “unequivocally false” gag order.
“Let’s be clear here. We are in the middle of a pandemic. Because of the president’s extraordinary leadership, we are getting out of it more quickly than ever. But we are still in the middle of the pandemic,” he said on NBC.
“Border Patrol agents are focused on operations, on border security, on meeting the needs of vulnerable children. We are not focused on horseback riding right now, ”added Mayorkas.
Calls for the press to be allowed to see conditions inside facilities that house migrant children have increased in recent weeks amid a wave of unaccompanied minors arriving at the United States’ border with Mexico.
CBS News reported on Saturday that the number of minors being sheltered by the U.S. after reaching the border exceeded 15,000, including about 5,000 being housed in a temporary tent facility operated by CBP across the border.