Psaki Reacts to Abbott Following Through on Pledge to Bus Migrants to DC

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is being asked about her claim that the Texas governor’s vow to send migrants to the nation’s capital is a publicity stunt. On Wednesday, Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich noted, “The first…

Bradley CortrightApr 13, 20223 min read

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At an April 6 press conference, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said

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the state would charter buses to send illegal immigrants to Washington, D.C.

“We are sending them to the United States Capitol where the Biden administration will be able to more immediately address the needs of the people that they are allowing to come across our border,” Abbott said.

When asked last week if the administration had plans to respond to busloads of migrants being sent to the capital, Psaki said, “I’m not aware of what authority the governor would be doing that under.”

“I think it’s pretty clear that this is a publicity stunt. His own office admits that a migrant would need to voluntarily be transported. And he can’t compel them to because, again, enforcement of our country’s Immigration laws lies with the federal government,” she added.

However, on Wednesday, the first busload of migrants arrived in Washington, D.C.

The Texas governor tweeted Wednesday, “First Texas bus drops off illegal immigrants blocks from US Capitol in Washington, DC. Biden refuses to come see the mess he’s made at the border.”

“So Texas is bringing the border to him,” he added.

On April 1, the Biden administration announced it would end an Immigration order known as Title 42, which allowed for the majority of migrants who cross the southern border to be expelled, on May 23.

News about the decision to lift the order sparked concern that there will be a massive surge of migrants attempting to cross the border.

According to CNN, “The Department of Homeland Security is preparing for a worst-case scenario of up to 18,000 people trying to cross the border daily, a number sure to overwhelm the already full border facilities.”