Psaki Refuses to Call Migrant Surge at U.S.-Mexico Border a 'Crisis'

The White House said Monday it is "working to finalize details" of a plan to allow press access to the southern border facilities where migrants are being held.

The announcement from press secretary Jen Psaki comes amid a surge of unaccompanied migrant children at the border and multiple requests from the Associated Press and other media organizations to allow access to border facilities.

Psaki said the administration is "committed to transparency" and wants to "make sure the media has access."

The press secretary would not commit to a deadline on the move, saying, "I don't pull the levers."

Psaki also again refused to call the migrant surge at the border a crisis, insisting,"children presenting at our border who are fleeing violence... who are fleeing terrible situations, is not a crisis."

She said the Biden White House feels a responsibility to "humanely approach this circumstance" and ensure the children are put in a safe place.

Psaki also detailed the administration's social media campaign targeting countries in Central and South America urging people not to come to the border.

She said the State Department has placed more than 17-thousand radio ads since President Joe Biden took office, as well as an advertising campaign on Facebook and Instagram to put the migration messages out.

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