As the United States grapples with an escalating crisis at its southern border, Massachusetts Democratic Representative Ayanna Pressley has asserted that the border is secure, despite the influx of migrants into the country.
This statement comes amid growing concerns over the record-breaking number of illegal immigrants crossing the border, a situation that has thrust the state of the border into the national spotlight.
In a recent CNN interview, Pressley maintained that the border situation is under control, even as her Democratic colleagues, including the Massachusetts governor, express increasing apprehension about the crisis. CNN host Jake Tapper, during the interview, highlighted the concerns raised by some Republicans regarding the absence of additional border security funding in the forthcoming bipartisan Senate bill. He questioned Pressley on whether there was a need for action to address the "crisis at the border."
Pressley responded, "No doubt about it, our border is secure, and we are in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, and we have to fix a broken system." Tapper, seeking clarification, asked if she believed the border was secure. Pressley reiterated her stance, emphasizing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the need for federal investment to aid migrant families.
Tapper, agreeing with the humanitarian crisis aspect, sought further clarity on Pressley's assertion of border security. He asked, "But just to get some clarity on this, and sure it is a conversation for another day, but do you think that the border is secure? Is that what you said?" Pressley confirmed, "Yes, the border is secure," and added, "And were in the midst of a humanitarian crisis that has been created by a broken system."
Tapper, however, challenged this assertion. He questioned how the border could be secure when millions of undocumented migrants were entering the country. Pressley sidestepped the question, labeling the situation as a longstanding humanitarian crisis. She highlighted her role in representing "one of the most diverse constituencies in the country" and her position as the chair of the House Haiti caucus, representing "the third-largest Haitian diaspora."
Tapper continued to question Pressley's claim of border security, stating, "Im not disagreeing with anything youre saying, except for the idea that the border is secure. If you have people crossing the border, its just by definition not secure." He pointed out that the lack of border security incentivizes migrants to undertake perilous journeys with smugglers rather than pursuing safer legal processes.
Pressley, once again avoiding a direct response, argued that the migrant crisis was a result of various factors, including "climate refugees" and individuals fleeing "violence and corruption" in their home countries. She then stated that "asylum is a human right."
Tapper, in response, said, "Okay, it sounds like in there you acknowledge that there are millions of people crossing the border illegally, which would mean that the border is not secure." He later asked, "Would you grant me the point that the border is not secure?"
Pressley concluded, "Jake, that is a conversation for another day," adding, "Right now Im squarely focused on preventing a government shutdown." For more on this and other related news, visit our website.
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