The networks have downplayed the Biden administration plans to make the crisis at the border worse by lifting Title 42. Yet, NBC on Friday rediscovered the move to end COVID-era restrictions that are stemming somewhat the tide of illegal crossings. Today reporter Gabe Gutierrez actually explained that “even some Democrats” oppose the President.
In a two minute and 41 second report, Gutierrez talked about the disaster at the border, something that itself is rare on ABC, CBS and NBC: “In March, Customs and Border Protections reported 221,000 crossings, the highest in more than 20 years. Texas has launched a controversial multi-billion dollar effort to crack down on prosecuting some migrants without children for trespassing.”
Reporting from the border, he explained: “Title 42 is a public health policy that the Trump administration used during the pandemic to expel migrants. The Biden administration wants to end it, saying it denies asylum seekers their rights.”
Gutierrez added, “Even some Democrats are against lifting it, especially in an election year.” Showing that the issue is bipartisan, at least among Democrats at the border, the journalist featured Eagle Pass, Texas Democratic Mayor Pro-tem Yolanda Ramon: “Title 42 needs to remain as is. We don't have the infrastructure. We don't have the facilities.”
Of course, co-host Savannah Guthrie still tried to make this another variation of Republicans seizing or pouncing on an issue: “Republicans are trying to make Title 42 a major issue this election year.” Gutierrez parroted, “21 Republican attorneys general have sued, arguing lifting Title 42 would attract even more migrants.”
But credit to NBC for at least covering the issue. CBS and ABC didn’t even do that on Friday. As I noted in an April 4 NewsBusters study, the evening newscasts in February had zero minutes of coverage of the border disaster and only nine minutes in March.
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A transcript is below. Click “expand” to read more.
Today
5/13/2022
7:08 AM
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: The record number of migrants crossing the southern border with Washington clashing over how to respond. All eyes on a federal courthouse in Louisiana today in a case that attempts to block the Biden administration from lifting pandemic related restrictions. NBC national correspondent Gabe Gutierrez near the border in Texas for us this morning. Hi, Gabe. Good morning.
GABE GUTIERREZ: Savannah, good morning. Republicans are trying to make Title 42 a major issue this election year and could come to a head later today. That’s when a federal judge is set to weigh in on whether the Biden administration can end a policy former President Trump used to keep migrants out. With border crossings at the highest level in decades, this morning the Biden administration is facing growing concerns that surge could grow even larger.
LT. CHRIS OLIVAREZ (Texas Department of Public Safety): There’s bigger groups here. Especially Cubans, Haitians that are still coming through.
GUTIERREZ: In March, Customs and Border Protections reported 221,000 crossings, the highest in more than 20 years. Texas has launched a controversial multi-billion dollar effort to crack down on prosecuting some migrants without children for trespassing. [In a helicopter] This is something you see in day in, day out around the clock.
OLIVAREZ: This is non-stop. Yeah.
GUTIERREZ: Over Eagle Pass, Texas we ride along with troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety and see migrants wading across the Rio Grande. Some holding children. One group includes more than 100 people. Many from Cuba. [Back to helicopter.] The influx is constant. Local authorities we spoke with say that if Title 42 is lifted, this surge will be even worse.
Title 42 is a public health policy that the Trump administration used during the pandemic to expel migrants. The Biden administration wants to end it, saying it denies asylum seekers their rights. But 21 Republican attorneys general have sued, arguing lifting Title 42 would attract even more migrants. Even some Democrats are against lifting it, especially in an election year.
YOLANDA RAMON (D-Mayor Pro-tem for Eagle Pass, Texas): Title 42 needs to remain as is. We don't have the infrastructure. We don't have the facilities.
GUTIERREZ: But Joanna from Ecuador who is pregnant said she could not wait. [Talking to a migrant.] Why did you come here to the United States? [Speaking Spanish] "I want to work,” she says, describing how a gang back home threatened her. She and so many others risking their lives to come to the U.S. as a legal battle that could ultimately determine their fate plays out in court. The Department of Homeland Security says it is preparing for up to 18,000 migrants a day to cross into the U.S. If Title 42 is lifted this month. Savannah.
