NBC Rediscovers Border, Laments ‘Republicans Are Seizing’ on Crisis

After having ignored the latest last week in the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, NBC’s Today On Monday, the government acknowledged the continuing stream of illegal immigrants crossing the border throughout the summer. Instead of reporting only on illegal immigration crossing the border, and the ways that Governors Greg Abbott (R–TX) has bussed them to New York City to share the burden, Gabe Gutierrez, a correspondent for the New York Times, framed the issue as one in which “Republicans are seizing” The crisis.

Tom Lamas was the fill-in guest host. He explained that there are “new developments in the ongoing border crisis with a growing number of migrants being bussed to cities far from the border”This “are now asking for federal help.”

 

 

Gutierrez began by making clear that it was Republicans who were in the wrong and not the Biden administration’s border policies:

The Republicans have seized on the record-breaking migration of immigrants to the south border. But the most recent battle for immigration is taking place here. After being sent by governors from Arizona and Texas, the buses continue to arrive in New York City, Washington, D.C.

He added that Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) “has requested the National Guard” while her counterpart in New York City Eric Adams (D) “is also asking the federal government for help” because, in Adams’s words, that’s being done “is…anti-American.”

After that “Democrats call the bussing a political stunt” While “Republicans argue it’s a last resort” As scenes of chaos “unfold,”Gutierrez provided some worrying statistics.

This 18-wheeler was used by human smugglers to transport 150 migrants. According to the Border Patrol, more than 200 migrants were found dead in Texas’s one-section since October. The national border apprehensions dropped four percent in July to June.  However, overall this fiscal year saw the greatest number of border apprehensions ever recorded.

Following a tour of a Catholic Charities facility, he wrapped by saying “more 6,000 asylum seekers have entered the shelter system this summer” in New York City.

Gutierrez joined MSNBC’s Morning JoeLater, that hour was a lament. “there’s a lot of uncertainty” for the illegal immigrants in the Big Apple, so they’re unsure of “what comes next for them.”

Also, he doubled his efforts to increase his “seizing” line:

But, as you just heard Mayor Adams saying as he has been reiterating for the past couple of weeks — he says the resources here in New York are stretched. Of course, Republicans are seizing on this and they’re saying, well, resources are stretched at the U.S. southern border in Texas, Arizona, and in other states. But, you know, the charitable organizations — we spoke with Catholic Charities — says they’re trying to do the best they can with those limited resources. There is always more they could use.

This attempt to minimize the border crisis by making it political was made possible thanks to advertisers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods (on NBC) and Liberty Mutual (on MSNBC). Follow the links to see their contact information at the MRC’s Conservatives Fight Back page.

To see the relevant transcripts from August 22, click “expand.”

NBC’s Today
August 22, 2022
Eastern: 7:15

[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Inside Texas Border Crisis]

TOM LLAMAS (Alright), now we will discuss new developments in the current border crisis. An increasing number of migrants is being bussed across the border to more cities. New York City, Washington, D.C., officials now seek federal aid to remedy this problem. Gabe Gutierrez from NBC National is on hand with additional information. Good morning Gabe.

GABE GUTIERREZ : Good morning Tom. Republicans seize on record-breaking numbers of migrants crossing the border to the south, while the current battle over immigration takes place in the northeast. After being sent by governors from Arizona and Texas, the buses continue to arrive in New York City, Washington, D.C.

CENTRAL AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ABEL Nuez: Our ability to meet the need is outpaced by it. 

GUTIERREZ – D.C.’s mayor called it a humanitarian emergency and requested that the National Guard be sent to help. New York City’s mayor has also asked for assistance from the federal government. 

NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS (D): I don’t think anything is more anti-American than shipping people on a bus — 45-hour trip without any of the basic needs that they have of direction or coordination. 

GUTIERREZ, Democrats refer to the bussing as a political stunt. Republicans say it is a last resort, as such scenes unfold at America’s southern border. Numerous migrants cross the border. The 18-wheeler is packed full of 150 human smugglers. According to the Border Patrol, more than 200 migrants were found dead in Texas’s one-section since October. The national border apprehensions dropped four percent in July to June.  However, overall this fiscal year saw the greatest number of border apprehensions ever recorded. 

GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT R-TX [on 08/18/22]The worst of it all was Texas and Arizona. The rest of America now understands exactly what’s happening. 

GUTIERREZ: We recently visited Catholic Charities in New York City —

GUTIERREZ [TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES OFFICIAL]This is a great example of numbers. 

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OFFICIAL No. 

GUTIERREZ: — which has been scrambling to help the growing number of migrants. Many people from Venezuela captured this grueling trip on their mobile phones. [TO RUBEN] Do you think you’d survive? [SPEAKING SPANISH]Ruben, a Colombian man who believed his children were dying told us that. 

“RUBEN” [voice of Gutierrez]He said, “I thanked God for the strength I had when we reached U.S. soil.” 

GUTIERREZ, More than 6000 asylum-seekers have entered New York’s shelter system in the past summer. Now, authorities plan to enroll more that 1,000 students into classes in the coming months.

LLAMAS: Thank you Gabe. Thank you.

———————————

MSNBC’s Morning Joe
August 22, 2022
Eastern, 7:45 AM

MARA GAY : Gabe can you paint for us an image of what happens to those buses when they arrive in New York City? Are — are there non-profits that are greeting them? Locals are supportive or angry? You can draw that picture, then let us know a bit more about what will happen to the workers’ families. 

GABE GUTIERREZ (Spanish): They have a lot to be uncertain about. They have been coming to Washington D.C. and New York City. However, these are charities. Catholic Charities was our source. Numerous migrants have been told by Catholic Charities to seek out Catholic charity. Although they are processing much more each day than usual, there is still money available. And now, City of New York is trying to get more resources, either asking the federal government — they’re also potentially trying to recruit some teachers from the Dominican Republic when the school year starts next month cause they need more bilingual teachers. But, as you just heard Mayor Adams saying as he has been reiterating for the past couple of weeks — he says the resources here in New York are stretched. Of course, Republicans are seizing on this and they’re saying, well, resources are stretched at the U.S. southern border in Texas, Arizona, and in other states. But, you know, the charitable organizations — we spoke with Catholic Charities — says they’re trying to do the best they can with those limited resources. There could be more. As for the migrants, you know, they’re — many of them hoping to apply for asylum, wondering what comes next for them. It’s unclear if the migrants will stay in this country or move to another country with their family. They just don’t know what’s next.

WILLIE GEIST – Governor Abbott said that buses would continue traveling to these cities during a fiscal year with approximately two million migrants crossing the border. This is an unprecedented number. NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez, thanks for bringing us the story. 

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