PSAKI Won’t Agree To Give Americans Free Smartphones Even If They’re Handed Out To Illegal Immigrants | Local News

The White House defends the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to “track” illegal immigrants through cellphones given to them ahead of court proceedings.

Asked Friday by Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy if the administration had a “plan to give free smartphones to American citizens” who wanted them, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said asked: “Shouldn’t we track migrants who cross the border irregularly?”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki calls reporters during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Room of the White House on April 8, 2022, in Washington. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

“Well, it would be great if someone who wanted a free phone and a free monthly plan could get one,” Doocy replied. “So is this going to be an offer for everyone or just for people who enter the country illegally?”

Immigrant men are arrested by U.S. Border Patrol officers at the U.S.-Mexico border on December 7, 2021 in Yuma, Arizona. John Moore/Getty Images

“Well, Peter, like when we were talking about this the other day, what I noted to you is that we have a range of ways of tracking people who are migrating irregularly into the country to make sure we that they meet their summons obligations and that they appear in court when they should appear in court,” Psaki said. “Telephones are part of that.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki during the daily press conference April 8, 2022 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Asked about the initiative on Wednesday, PSAKI dismissed concerns that the phones could be thrown away by recipients and said the distribution of smartphones “is part of our efforts as individuals enter the United States and individuals who enter who will proceed with an immigration process to monitor and track their whereabouts.”

PSAKI said Biden “will be touring the country soon,” but she had “nothing to predict” or “specifics” on whether he would make his first trip to the southern border as border towns gear up to a massive influx of migrants under the administration’s plan. for end the use of the title 42 deport migrants at the border.