White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre denies allegations that tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with serious criminal records are residing in the US, calling the data "misrepresented." The claim stems from a report citing ICE data, which indicates that 425,431 noncitizens facing removal have criminal convictions, including 13,099 convicted of homicide.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has vehemently denied allegations that tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with severe criminal records are roaming freely in the United States, vehemently repudiating the data presented by Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy.
Doocy pressed Jean-Pierre on Monday regarding news that an alarming number of illegal immigrants in the US possess grave criminal records, including 13,000 convicted murders living within the country's borders. He raised concerns about the potential danger these individuals pose to American communities.
White House Disputes Report Alleging 13,000 Illegal Immigrants with Murder Convictions at Large in US
"I believe it's crucial to set the record straight," Jean-Pierre countered. "Multiple news organizations, including some of your own colleagues, have fact-checked this claim and found it to be false and misleading. We have a responsibility to correct misinformation."
Despite Doocy's request for clarification on the misrepresentations, Jean-Pierre remained evasive, stating, "When reporting on data, it's imperative to do so accurately to avoid confusing the public or, worse yet, spreading misinformation."
White House Disputes Report Alleging 13,000 Illegal Immigrants with Murder Convictions at Large in US
She further asserted that "the total number of removals has surpassed that of any year under the previous administration since 2010," reiterating the claim that the story had been thoroughly fact-checked and misrepresented.
However, data provided to Republican lawmakers paints a concerning picture. Out of 7.4 million noncitizens facing removal or in removal proceedings, 425,431 are convicted criminals, and 222,141 face pending criminal charges.
White House Disputes Report Alleging 13,000 Illegal Immigrants with Murder Convictions at Large in US
These criminal records include 62,231 individuals convicted of assault, 14,301 convicted of burglary, 56,533 convicted of drug offenses, and 13,099 convicted of homicide. Additionally, 2,521 have kidnapping convictions, 15,811 have sexual assault convictions, 1,845 face pending homicide charges, 42,915 have pending assault charges, 3,266 face pending burglary charges, and 4,250 have pending assault charges.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has contested these figures, claiming that they "include individuals who entered the country over the past 40 years or more... Many are under the jurisdiction or currently incarcerated by federal, state, or local law enforcement partners."
The ongoing debate over immigration and border security has intensified with the release of these statistics. Republicans have vehemently criticized the Biden administration's handling of the situation, claiming that it has allowed dangerous criminals to enter the country. Democrats, on the other hand, have condemned the allegations as false and misleading, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between undocumented immigrants and criminals.
The White House's denial of the data presented by Fox News has done little to quell the concerns raised by Republicans and the public. The issue of illegal immigration with criminal ties remains a contentious topic, and it is likely to continue to be a source of heated debate in the coming months.
