President Biden said on Thursday that he would “be flattered” if migrants reached the U.S.-Mexico border because of him, but discussed the idea, insisting that migratory waves usually occur in the spring and that the growing crisis facing his administration is not unique.
Biden, taking his second question at his first formal White House press conference, was asked about people entering the United States illegally because of the perception that he would welcome them, which he did not address and , instead, insisted that the same situation occurs “every lonely course.”
“Well, look, I guess I should be flattered if people come because I’m a nice guy, that’s why it happens, that I’m a decent man or, no matter how much it’s written, that’s why they come, because they know Biden is a good boy “.
He added: “But the truth is that nothing has changed. As many people came, a 28% increase in children at the border in my administration. Thirty-one percent in the last year of 2019, before the pandemic in the Trump administration. This happens every lonely year ”.
Biden reiterated that “it happens every year,” without answering the original question of his message that it attracted waves of illegal immigration.
“Does anyone suggest there was a 31 percent increase under Trump because he was a nice guy? And he did good things at the border? That’s not why they come. The reason they come is that it’s time they can travel. less likely to die along the way because the heat in the desert, number one, number two, comes from the circumstances of his country. “
Biden said of the increase in migrants: “I’d like to think it’s because I’m a nice guy, but it’s not. It’s what happens every year.”
In response to a question from NBC News’ Kristen Welker, who asked when journalists would be allowed to visit crowded border patrol facilities that house children who illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border, the president said. I do not know”.
“I don’t know, to be clear,” Biden said
On Wednesday, journalists were allowed limited access to a facility in Carrizo Springs, Texas, run by the Department of Health and Human Services, but the Biden administration has not allowed journalists to enter border patrol camps anymore. reduced.
Welker asked, “Will you commit to allowing journalists access to facilities that are overcrowded to move forward?”
Biden said: “I will commit – as soon as my plan is up and running – to let you access not only me but also other facilities.”
He said: “I am committed to transparency as soon as I am in a position to implement what we are doing right now.”
Biden acknowledged that he did not have a specific deadline to expand access to the press.
He added that “one of the reasons I didn’t go down … is that I don’t want to become the subject” in the midst of the crisis.
Biden critics accuse him of provoking a wave of migrants by relaxing former President Donald Trump’s border policies and proposing legislation to legalize most of the 11 million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S. He denied the accusation at the press conference.
Last month, Biden put an end to Trump’s “Stay in Mexico” policy that forced asylum seekers in Central America to remain in Mexico while U.S. courts reviewed their claims.
Biden stopped the construction of the border wall of his predecessor in Mexico and issued an order confirming the 2012 Deferred Action for Arrivals of Children program, which grants work permits and protection against deportation to people illegally taken to the USA as minors.
The House of Representatives last week passed bills that would create a path to citizenship for up to half of the estimated illegal immigrants in the U.S., including farm workers and children who arrived as minors. Many Republicans said the bills create new “traction” factors for migration.