President Biden Talks Immigration at First Press Conference

President Biden discussed immigration yesterday at his first press conference of his presidency.  As reported by the Hill, he pushed back against claims perceptions that he is a “nice guy” is bringing migrants to the southern border, saying economics and seasonal patterns are.

“I’d like to think it’s because I’m a nice guy, but it’s not,” Biden said. “The truth of the matter is, nothing has changed,” he said. “The reason they’re coming is that it’s the time they can travel with the least likelihood of dying on the way because of the heat in the desert, No 1. No. 2, they’re coming because of the circumstances in their country.”  Biden also blamed natural disasters, food insecurity, gang violence and overall economic conditions for pushing Central American migrants north

Republicans have consistently blamed Biden’s policies for the “border crisis.” 

President Biden also stressed that the majority of those crossing the border, including families, are being sent back under a Trump-era law that allows for swift expulsion due to COVID-19. “If you take a look at the number of people that are coming, the vast majority, the overwhelming majority of people coming to the border and crossing are being sent back,” he said.

USA Today further elaborated that President Biden defended his immigration policy in response to a question about whether  he may be sending a message to migrants that they can cross the border.

Told about a 9-year-old boy from Honduras whose mother sent him to the United States because she believed Biden would not deport unaccompanied minors, the President said he would never tell an unaccompanied child that “we’re just gonna let him starve to death and stand on the other side” of the border. 

“No previous administrations did that either except Trump,” he said, referring to former President Donald Trump. “I’m not going to do it.”

KJ