White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to answer a question during Monday’s press briefing about specifics of which illegal aliens who were separated at the border under the previous administration qualify for settlements from President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice.
“Now that the President is on the record, as of Saturday, supporting compensation for illegal immigrants who were separated from family at the border, who counts as separated?” a reporter asked. “If somebody was just separated for a few hours or a few days, would they be eligible to settle a suit and get this payment from DOJ?”
“So, Peter, I will direct you to the Department of Justice for any specifics on that,” Jean-Pierre said. “We have — we have — you’ve asked us this question, we have answered it, and I will refer you to the Department of Justice on any specifics.”
“The President is going into great detail, though, about the policy,” the reporter pushed back. “So, if he can answer it, I just — I’m curious — going back to 2018, some illegal immigrants were given a choice: get deported alone or get deported with their kids. If somebody chose to be separated, chose to go back by themselves without their family, would they be eligible to settle one of these lawsuits?”
“I’m going to refer you to the Department of Justice. I don’t have anything more to say,” Jean-Pierre responded. “And I’m going to move on, okay?”
WATCH:
Biden Spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly refuses to answer questions about the Biden administration making payments to illegal immigrants. pic.twitter.com/tPUgzrMVvv
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 8, 2021
TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED VIA THE WHITE HOUSE:
REPORTER: And then, now that the President is on the record, as of Saturday, supporting compensation for illegal immigrants who were separated from family at the border, who counts as separated? If somebody was just separated for a few hours or a few days, would they be eligible to settle a suit and get this payment from DOJ?
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY: So, Peter, I will direct you to the Department of Justice for any specifics on that. We have — we have — you’ve asked us this question, we have answered it, and I will refer you to the Department of Justice on any specifics.
REPORTER: The President is going into great detail, though, about the policy. So, if he can answer it, I just — I’m curious — going back to 2018, some illegal immigrants were given a choice: get deported alone or get deported with their kids. If somebody chose to be separated, chose to go back by themselves without their family, would they be eligible to settle one of these lawsuits?
JEAN-PIERRE: Peter, I’m going to refer you to the Department of Justice. I don’t have anything more to say. And I’m going to move on, okay?
REPORTER: Okay.
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