[ad_1]
Guatemala’s president says he blames the US border crisis on President Biden and Democrats’ “tepid” rhetoric on illegal immigration – adding that he urged Vice President Kamala Harris during their meeting to impose tougher penalties on people smuggling.
President Alejandro Giamatti made the remarks in an interview Wednesday with Fox News after his summit with Harris, who visited his country in Central America as part of her first foreign visit in office.
Giamatti explained that, “Well, the humanitarian messaging here has been used by the wolves in a distorted way because what they said there is that they’re going to promote family reunification,” apparently referring to Biden’s messages on immigration during the campaign.
In “Hanity” exclusive, investigative journalist Sarah Carter met with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giamatti to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris’ summit with him.
“So the coyotes came and took the kids and the teens to the United States and the border was full, not just with people from Guatemala, but with a lot of people from all over the world,” he continued. “And that’s why we suggest the messages be clear.”
“The Vice President sent a clear message yesterday that ‘don’t come because we won’t let you in.’ That’s a clear message—but if you have a tepid one, it only creates an opportunity for misinterpretation.”
“I want to be clear to people in this region who are considering making this dangerous journey to the US-Mexico border: Don’t come, don’t come,” Harris said Monday at a press conference with Giamatti.
The United States will continue to enforce our laws and secure our borders. There are legal ways in which immigration can and should happen, but we, as one of our priorities, will discourage illegal immigration.” “And I think if you get to our borders, you will be turned back.”
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giamatti said the Biden administration’s “tepid” rhetoric on illegal immigration is to blame for the border crisis. Getty Images Boats carry passengers and supplies across the Suchiate River between Tecun Uman, Guatemala (right), and Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico, Sunday, June 6, 2021. AP Photo/Moises Castillo
Journalist Sarah Carter, who conducted the interview, told network host Sean Hannity that Giamatti told her he wanted bilateral cooperation with the United States on immigration matters.
Specifically, according to Carter, Giamatti said he suggested to Harris during Wednesday’s meeting that the United States include stronger federal charges against human traffickers and coyotes.
Representatives for the White House and Harris specifically did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on Giamatti’s comments.
Demonstrators protest in front of the National Palace in Guatemala after a meeting between Vice President Kamala Harris and Guatemalan President Alejandro Giamatti, in Guatemala City, Monday, June 7, 2021. AP Photo/Oliver de Ros Guatemalan immigrants follow an officer as they cross the border. US-Mexico border wall Rengo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images
The Biden administration’s rollback of former President Donald Trump’s border policies has led to an influx of illegal immigrants from Central America and Mexico at the US border, including thousands of unaccompanied children.
Central Americans seeking sanctuary from the Northern Triangle nations — Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras — have taken these political moves, along with a more welcoming tone from Democrats, as a signal that Biden is inviting them to cross the border.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mallorcas insisted the border was not in crisis, and said in early March that the agency’s problems should be blamed on the previous administration.
Migrants from Guatemala wait to be processed after surrendering to authorities at the US-Mexico border on May 12, 2021 in Yuma, Arizona. Caught hiding in a dense forest after crossing the Rio Grande River into the United States from Mexico in La Joya, Texas, on May 18, 2021.
However, the data overwhelmingly shows that immigrants were flocking to the border because they believed Biden would welcome them with open arms.
As the crisis raged, Biden chose his vice president to address diplomatic actions related to its “root causes.” However, despite intense pressure, she still refused to visit the border months later to monitor the situation for herself.
.
[ad_2]
Picture Credit!