While the broadcast networks were busy stoking fears that members of the National Guard stationed in Washington, D.C. might launch an inside attack on the inauguration, they turned a blind eye to a caravan of Honduran migrants that violently stormed into Guatemala, fighting with local police. NBC Nightly News actually mentioned the caravan but ignored their violent border crossing.
“Awaiting the President-elect, a caravan on the way to the U.S. from Honduras. Thousands of people hoping once Donald Trump is gone, they can cross the border. Don't come now says the Biden's team,” announced NBC chief Washington and foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell as she touted Joe Biden’s plan for the first 10 days of his presidency.
Meanwhile, on Fox News Channel’s Special Report, they didn’t cover-up the violence. “Thousands of Central American refugees are trying to make their way to the U.S. and that resulted in a violent clash with police in Guatemala trying to stop them,” noted anchor Bret Baier. “This occurs as the Biden administration is expected to make major changes to U.S. immigration policy.”
After Baier showed a video of the migrants forcing their way through a line of police wearing riot gear (pictured above), national correspondent William La Jeunesse set the scene at the border. “Using tear gas and batons, security forces tried but failed to stop many Honduran migrants at the Guatemalan border,” he reported.
La Jeunesse also noted how the Biden administration planned to aid them (Click “expand”):
LA JEUNESSE: The migrants say they are fleeing poverty, homelessness, and hunger made worse by a pair of hurricanes. A Biden transition official said Sunday, “help is on the way” but urged the group to wait.
BIDEN: I will introduce an immigration bill immediately.
(…)
BIDEN: Nobody is going to be deported in my first 100 days.
LA JEUNESSE: No deportation means no detention for women, children, and families and unlike President Trump, Biden said he will loosen asylum restrictions.
In concluding his report, La Jeunesse also noted that “the caravan right now is pinned down by the Guatemalan military” and “21 have tested positive for COVID.”
In 2018, NBC painted America as a villain for thwarting a caravan’s goal of getting into the country. “Tonight a very public test of American resolve over immigration policy as well as the limits of American compassion is happening at the California/Mexico border,” anchor Lester Holt chided at the time. “It's a tough ask in most times, but maybe even tougher in this political environment.”
(MRC Latino found the below soundbite of a migrant from this latest caravan telling a reporter they might have to resort to violence against the Guatemalan military.)
SHortly after Holt spoke, NBC correspondent Miguel Almaguer also tried to send America on a guilt trip for upholding our asylum process. “Tonight, these are the faces of the desperate, locked out on the doorstep of the United States waiting. The migrant caravan mostly women and children, some 150 fleeing violence in Central America and seeking asylum, have traveled nearly 3,000 miles, but the last 300 feet into the U.S. may prove impossible,” he whined.
A few months later, NBC cheered as a different migrant caravan defied President Trump. “Breaking overnight, on the move, and on the rise. That massive caravan of migrants moving toward the U.S. grows even larger. The group, now numbering more than 7,000 and defying the President’s demands to turn back,” Today co-host Savannah Guthrie enthusiastically announced.
The network also, ignored how members of that caravan were caught scaling the border fence and illegally entering the U.S.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
Fox News Channel’s Special Report
January 18, 2021
6:10:20 p.m. EasternBRET BAIER: Thousands of Central American refugees are trying to make their way to the U.S. and that resulted in a violent clash with police in Guatemala trying to stop them. This occurs as the Biden administration is expected to make major changes to U.S. immigration policy. National correspondent William La Jeunesse reports tonight from Los Angeles.
[Cuts to video]
WILLIAM LA JEUNESSE: Using tear gas and batons, security forces tried but failed to stop many Honduran migrants at the Guatemalan border.
MAURICIO ROSALES (migrant, via translator): Thank God we got through the first part in Guatemala. And if God allows it, we will go further.
LA JEUNESSE: For some, the march towards Mexico continues.
SANTOS PINEDA (migrant, via translator): We have lost everything in the hurricane so we are going to ask for help from anyone who will take us in.
LA JEUNESSE: The migrants say they are fleeing poverty, homelessness, and hunger made worse by a pair of hurricanes. A Biden transition official said Sunday, “help is on the way” but urged the group to wait.
JOE BIDEN: I will introduce an immigration bill immediately.
LA JEUNESSE: President Trump warned Biden's policies will lead to chaos.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We see what's coming. And they’re coming because they think it’s gravy train at the end.
LA JEUNESSE: Border agents fear Biden’s legalization plan will be a magnet for others to head north.
BIDEN: Nobody is going to be deported in my first 100 days.
LA JEUNESSE: No deportation means no detention for women, children, and families and unlike President Trump, Biden said he will loosen asylum restrictions.
MARK MORGAN (acting CBP commissioner): The belief is they’re going to be let in. So, they’re not hearing this now, “hey wait, it’s not going to happen day one.” They’re already coming.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: (migrant, via translator): The first thing we will do when we arrived in the United States is to find a job.
LA JEUNESSE: That employment alone, immigration advocates hope, could earn them a place in America.
JOSEPH VILLELA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights): When you have a vast number of essential worker who are undocumented our hope is that they will be protected. Not only with economic relief but then also with some sort of legal status.
[Cuts back to live]
LA JEUNESSE: The caravan right now is pinned down by the Guatemalan military. Some have given up, others are looking for alternative routes. 21 have tested positive for COVID. Bret.
BAIER: William, thank you.
