August 31, 2022 3:22pm EDT
Border Patrol agents slam Karine Jean-Pierre's 'ignorant' claim that illegal immigrants not 'walking' across
Border agent says White House press secretary either 'extremely dumb' or 'flat-out lying'
By Adam Shaw , Bill Melugin , Peter Hasson | Fox News
EXCLUSIVE: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre's claim that illegal immigrants aren’t just "walking across" the southern border has sparked anger and shock from Border Patrol agents — who witness hundreds of migrants flooding across the border every single day.
"How out of touch can this administration possibly be?" one agent told Fox News. "Well, I guess this is a new level."
Jean-Pierre was asked on Monday why migrants are allowed to illegally enter the U.S. without being vaccinated for COVID-19 but an unvaccinated foreign national traveling on a plane is not.
"Somebody unvaccinated comes over on a plane. You say that's not OK. Somebody walks into Texas or Arizona unvaccinated, they're allowed to stay? Why?" Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy asked at the White House press briefing.
"But that's not how it works," Jean-Pierre said.
"That's what's happening," Doocy said. "I know that's not what you guys want to happen. But that is what is happening."
"But that's not — it's not like somebody walks over," Jean-Pierre responded.
Jean-Pierre went on to outline what the administration had done in terms of the border, including more DHS funding and cooperation with other countries — contrasting it to what she said was the prior administration’s focus on building a wall.
"It is not that simple. It’s not just that people are walking across the border," she said. "We have a plan in place."
Border Patrol agents are on the front lines dealing with migrants coming across the border in droves. Migrants encountered by Border Patrol are generally processed and released into the U.S. often within hours of apprehensions. Meanwhile, there are more than half a million illegal immigrants who have evaded Border Patrol this fiscal year alone.
Agents were stunned by the remarks.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/border-patrol-agents-slam-karine-jean-pierres-ignorant-claim-illegal-immigrants-walking-across
