Psaki says Texas governor doesn’t have authority for ‘publicity stunt’ plan to bus migrants to DC
Abbott vowed to place migrants on chartered buses to DC across state lines
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.White House press secretary accused Texas Gov Greg Abbott of promising an illegal “publicity stunt” on Thursday after the Republican governor vowed that he would place undocumented migrants on chartered buses to Washington DC.
The governor made headlines in right-leaning media and thrilled conservatives this week when he pledged that he would respond to the Biden administration’s end of Title 42 directives that allow DHS to turn back migrants at the border by forcing undocumented immigrants to board buses and be essentially shipped out of his state, across the country.
Ms Psaki was asked about the governor’s announcement at her daily news briefing by Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy. In her response, she pointed out that no Texas official, including the governor, had the legal authority to forcibly move persons out of their state, enforce federal immigration law, or even take any official actions across state lines.
“Well 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,” she quipped.
She went on to note that Mr Abbott’s own staff has admitted that such trips would have to be wholly voluntary, as the governor can not forcibly move people around the US.
The Texas governor is one of a growing number of Republicans who have fought the Biden administration on the issue of migration; the White House faced a sharp divide over the issue of whether Title 42 should be suspended.
Immigration has remained a hot-button issue for the party, which has largely argued that the tough anti-migrant policies of the Trump administration including family separation should be resumed under President Joe Biden’s leadership. Mr Biden rolled back a number of immigration policies upon taking office that advocates for migrants said were dehumanising but that proponents claimed were effective in deterring migration.
The GOP has stated very clearly its intent to make the issue a campaign topic as the party seeks to retake the House and Senate this year.
Texas has been the site of some major battles over the issue of immigration including last year when thousands of Haitian migrants arrived in Del Rio, Texas, at the US border and camped out for weeks before most were expelled and some were admitted to the US on at least a temporary basis.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments