Why you haven't seen photos from inside migrant facilities
by Anna Giaritelli, Homeland Security Reporter |
| March 16, 2021 06:05 AM Despite pledges of "transparency," the Biden administration has prevented the public from seeing any photos or videos from inside federal facilities where migrant children and families are being held in overcrowded rooms for longer-than-permissible periods — all amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Journalists and immigration attorneys have complained for weeks about being barred from the facilities that now house thousands of illegal migrants. And while White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the Biden administration supports "transparency," she stopped short of saying when access would be allowed and deferred to the departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services.
"DHS oversees some of the facilities. HHS oversees some of the facilities," said Psaki. "I know that they're working through how to provide access in a way that is — abides by COVID protocols and also protects the privacy of people who are being — who are staying in those facilities."
Reporters have not been allowed inside buildings and tents where thousands of families and children have passed through after being apprehended on the border then transferred to other agency facilities for longer-term holding. The media were also not permitted into federal facilities prior to the Biden administration except for in rare circumstances in which the facility invited reporters for a tour. Any person visiting such a facility, including lawmakers and media, must lock up his or her phone, camera, and any other recording devices in lockers before entering areas where people are held.
more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/why-you-havent-seen-photos-from-inside-migrant-facilities
