White House National Security Council Press Secretary John Kirby said Tuesday when asked about Texas getting the green light from the Supreme Court to remove razor wire along the U.S.-Mexico border, federal officials said He claimed that he needed “access” to process the issue.
At his daily press conference, FOX News correspondent Peter Doocy questioned Kirby: “Why are you making it easier for people to enter the country illegally?”
“I don't believe we are. Why do you think we are?” Kirby replied. Doocy explained, “Well, you guys filed a lawsuit to cut the razor wire that the Texas authorities put in place.”
Kirby interjected, saying, “So that the Border Patrol can actually do its job, but stay operational.”
The exchange comes after a divided Supreme Court on Monday, allowing Border Patrol agents for now to resume cutting razor wire installed by Texas along the U.S.-Mexico border, which is at the center of an escalating standoff between the Biden administration. related to what you did. and the nation's immigration crackdown.
The 5-4 vote clears the way for Border Patrol agents to cut or remove bellows of wire that Texas installed along the banks of the Rio Grande to prevent immigrants from entering the country illegally. The Justice Department alleges that some migrants have been injured by the sharp wires and argues that the barriers impede the U.S. government's ability to conduct border security, including rescuing migrants in need. As the wire-and-phone litigation continues, none of the justices have offered any explanation for voting on the one-page order.
Biden sided with the Supreme Court in the Texas border razor wire case.Decision to bomb Border Patrol union
Texas Governor Greg Abbott had authorized the installation of the wires as one of a series of measures the three-term Republican has taken on the border in the name of curbing illegal immigration from Mexico. His spokesperson said the lack of razor wire and other deterrents puts migrants at risk of crossing an unsafe border and makes the job of Texas border officials more difficult.
National Security Council Press Secretary John Kirby pauses while speaking during a news conference at the White House, Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
“Well, you won in court. Now what? The head of the Border Patrol union says the Supreme Court's decision will definitely lead to more illegal immigration. Do you guys know more than the Border Patrol union?” Doocy challenged Kirby on Tuesday.
“The Border Patrol needed access, and that's why we filed suit to have that razor wire removed so the Border Patrol could do its job,” Kirby countered. “Peter, you know what we can do to help them do their jobs? Add more Border Patrol agents. We have an idea. And going back to the additional request that we submitted, there are about 1,300 more Border Patrol agents. There's funding for additional Border Patrol agents.'' “We want to help them do their jobs. We want to give them more resources.'' And the answer that comes back from House Republicans is no, no, no.'' is”
When asked if razor wire works to deter border crossings, Kirby answered, “What does razor wire work for? It allows Border Patrol to better handle people trying to cross the border. Will it work to allow the necessary access to do so?” “Border? I don't think so. That's why we asked for the border to be removed.”
Doocy noted that just last month, U.S. border officials discovered a record number of nearly 300,000 immigrants were prevented from entering the country illegally. Kirby responded by pointing to Biden's additional policies and praising the Mexican government.
Concertina wire lines a road as members of Congress tour areas near the border in Eagle Pass, Texas, on January 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
“Please look at what we have proposed. The immigration reform bill that the president proposed on his first day, the work that we are doing in this region. Just last week, we brought Mexican officials here. We talked about how we can work together. We have worked hard and will continue to work hard to stem the tide of migration,” Kirby said. “You mentioned the numbers. There's no question. A lot of people are trying to make that journey. But it's not just to the United States, it's to the rest of the world. In this region, we We are now witnessing a historic movement.”
Texas authorities double down on razor wire in Eagle Pass following Biden administration's 'cease and desist' order: Video
“And we've had some success in that regard in recent weeks,” Kirby continued. “The idea that we don’t have a plan or a strategy or that we don’t take this issue seriously is not supported by the facts. Yes, and if they claim so.”
The concertina wire stretches for about 30 miles near the border city of Eagle Pass, where the Texas Department of Military Affairs took control of the city-owned park earlier this month and began denying Border Patrol agents access. Eagle Park has become one of the busiest points on the southern border for immigrants entering the country illegally from Mexico.
The Supreme Court split, saying federal authorities could remove the Texas border. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Abbott says Texas will no longer allow Border Patrol agents into Shelby Park, frustrated that migrants are entering the country illegally through Eagle Pass and federal agents are loading them onto buses. expressed. Mr. Abbott also authorized the installation of a floating barrier on the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass and authorized officers to arrest and jail thousands of immigrants on charges of trespassing. The administration is also challenging these actions in federal court.
The Biden administration has said in court documents that the wires prevent Border Patrol agents from accessing migrants crossing the river, and that federal immigration law takes precedence over Texas' own efforts to stop the flow of migrants. He said there was.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Texas authorities claim federal agents cut the wire to help a group illegally crossing the river and then removed it for processing.
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor sided with the administration. Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas voted for Texas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
