So, Dana, what we do is, we prepare and we plan. And we have been doing so for months, understanding that the Title 42 authority that the CDC holds is not going to be around forever, because, quite frankly, we want to conquer the pandemic and put it behind us. And, remember, Title 42 is a public health authority. So, what we started to do in September of last year was prepare for its end. And we didn't -- we're not projecting 18,000, but what we do in the department is, we plan for different scenarios so we're ready for anything that might materialize.
It is our responsibility to be prepared for different scenarios. And that is what we are doing. And we have incredibly talented and dedicated people. There is no question that if, in fact, we reach that number, that is going to be an extraordinary strain on our system. But we are preparing for it. And that is why the plan we have prepared calls for a number of different actions, not just in the domestic arena, but also with our partners to the south.
And, here's his answer to What's-his-name on the same general question.
Chuck, the plan wasn't devised last week when it was published. This was a – is a plan that we've been working on since September of last year. We understood that the Title 42 Public Health Authority of the CDC would not be around forever. And so, we've been executing on this plan for months. And we're intensifying our efforts. We're adding resources to it to address the potential for an increase in migration once Title 42 comes to an end. That's what we do. And it's a multi-faceted plan, not only with respect to the infusion of additional resources to the border, the surge of personnel, the surge of transportation capabilities, medical support, increased facilities, but it's also working south of our border, with our partners in the region, because what we are experiencing in the United States is not unique to us. This is a regional challenge that requires a regional solution. Do you know that there are more than 1.8 million Venezuelans in Colombia right now? This is something that is being experienced throughout the hemisphere and the world, as we so powerfully see in Europe.
Responding to Bash on concerns from Dems in difficult primaries, or in swing states, that DHS is not doing enough, or don't have strong enough plans, or the plans are too little too late, and whatnot.
And I respectfully disagree, because the plan that we published this past Tuesday, Tuesday of last week, was not reflective of the fact that we just prepared this plan, but, rather, we have been planning for months and months. And we heard concerns, do you have a plan? And so, what I did was, I published a 20-page memorandum that described our plan in some level of detail to put to rest the concern that we have not been planning. We didn't just start this. We have been doing it for months. That's what we do.
And to the same basic question on MTP:
I respectfully disagree with the criticism. You know, we shared with individuals, with the public, a concept of operations and they were concerned that that was not enough, they didn't see enough, that we don't have a plan. We've had a plan for months, as I mentioned, since fall of last year, for the eventual end of Title 42. So, what I did was I published a 20-page memorandum that set forth greater details about our plan. But what I'm not going to do, Chuck, is I'm not going to provide an extraordinarily comprehensive blueprint – of everything we're doing because, let's remember, we have an adversary. We have the cartels that are exploiting vulnerable immigrants for profit. And I'm not going to provide them the blueprint with what we're doing.
The other big topic? The Disinformation Governance Board, or, as the GOP is calling it, The Ministry of Truth. Bash asked exactly what it'll do, and specifically if it will be monitoring Americans. On the latter, he said it will not be monitoring us, as it has no "operational authority or capability."
And so, what will it do? Well, after saying that they "probably could have done a better job of communicating" about the program, he delved into the whys and the whats.
The fact is that disinformation that creates a threat to the security of the homeland is our responsibility to address. And this department has been addressing it for years, throughout the years of the prior administration, on an ongoing basis, disinformation from Russia, China, Iran.
So, what it does is, it works to ensure that the way in which we address threats, the connectivity between threats and acts of violence are addressed without infringing on free speech, protecting civil rights and civil liberties, the right of privacy. And the board, this working group, internal working group, will draw from best practices and communicate those best practices to the operators, because the board does not have operational authority.
...What it will do is gather together best practices in addressing the threat of disinformation from foreign state adversaries, from the cartels, and disseminate those best practices to the operators that have been executing in addressing this threat for years.
And, in response to What's-his-name's same general question?
So, we've set up essentially an internal working group. And I must say that we could have done a better job in communicating what it is and what it isn't. It's a working group that takes best practices with respect to our work that has been going on for years. Best practices on how to do that work, the work of addressing disinformation that presents a threat to the security of our country, how to do that work in a way that does not infringe on free speech, does not infringe on civil liberties. So, this working group takes best practices and disseminates those best practices to the operators.
And, on the person chosen to run the Ministry, er - Governance Board? First, his response to Bash.
Eminently qualified individual, a recognized expert on battling the threat of disinformation that presents a threat to the security of our homeland from Russia, from China, from Iran, from the cartels.
Eminently qualified, a renowned expert in the field of disinformation.
And, he said, she's absolutely neutral. And if Donald Trump wins in 2024, and he's in charge of such a board, would Mayorkas be OK with that?
I believe that this working group that gathers together -- gathers together best practices, makes sure that our work is coordinated consistent with those best practices, that we're safeguarding the right of free speech, that we're safeguarding civil liberties, I think is an extraordinarily important endeavor.
And, in the MTP classroom, here's how he answered the 'who's running the board' question.
Eminently qualified individual, a recognized expert on battling the threat of disinformation that presents a threat to the security of our homeland from Russia, from China, from Iran, from the cartels.
There were a couple of questions asked in only one classroom. Bash wondered about COVID testing for folks apprehended at the border. Mayorkas said they had been testing, but will be moving to a
different phase where we will be vaccinating noncitizens who are encountered at the border.
What's-his-name asked about "the average time" he thinks DHS would be able to process an asylum claim.
One of the great steps that we have taken in the Biden-Harris administration is to address this challenge. Historically, it's been six, eight years plus. And we promulgated an asylum officer rule that allows our asylum officers to make the ultimate asylum determination. And we're going to take that six-to-eight-year period, over time, as we ramp up, we’re going to take that to under a year. Fundamentally though, Chuck, we need Congress to pass legislation.
And finally, Bash reminded him that, last year, he said his message to migrants was "do not come," and wondered what the message was now.
The same, the very same, because our border is not open. What happens now is, individuals are either expelled under the Title 42 authority, or they are placed in immigration enforcement proceedings, and they are removed if they do not have a valid claim under our law to remain. And so, the border is not open. And, importantly, they should not place their lives at risk, in the hands of smugglers who exploit their lives for the mere purpose of profit.
She asked a second time, for the folks in the back.
So, just to be clear, if somebody is watching this from another country considering coming, your message is?
His answer?
Do not come.
I'm guessing someone will try and turn that into a piece of disinformation for a campaign ad - the question is, will it be from the right, or from the left? And, I'm confident that, whatever Mayorkas needs from Congress, it's not going to happen anytime soon.
See you around campus.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!