After ignoring the weekend’s massive 2,400-person surge of illegal immigrants flooding across the border and overwhelming Border Patrol on their Monday morning and evening newscasts, Tuesday’s CBS Morning dedicated a fleeting 42 seconds to the story in the form of a news brief. Meanwhile, NBC’s Today was continuing to downplay the story with a scant 27 seconds.
Co-anchor and former NFL player Nate Burleson delivered the news brief for CBS. “Border officials in El Paso, Texas are asking for more federal money after more than 2,400 migrants crossed the southern border there over the weekend. Officials say the arrivals overwhelmed local facilities,” he announced.
Adding: “Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas says that they plan to be in El Paso later today to speak with Border Patrol agents.” He went on to warn that the situation could get worse after Title 42 gets lifted but noted President Biden was asking Congress for more border funds to supposedly deal with it.
It may have taken 42 seconds to deliver the brief, but it could have been shorter if Burleson didn’t stumble through reading the teleprompter.
Instead of giving the border crisis serious airtime, the cast of CBS Mornings gave 1 minute and 42 seconds to a Korean pop star with the group BTS beginning his mandated stint in the South Korean military.
Today’s 27 seconds on the border crisis added four seconds from NBC Nightly News the previous evening. And co-anchor Craig Melvin kept it sterilized:
Now to that massive surge of migrants at the Texas border. It comes days before COVID regulations known as Title 42 are set to expire. The Border Patrol in El Paso now reporting an average of more than 2,400 illegal border crossings every day. The surge of migrants mainly from central and South America overwhelming border officials. A pandemic-era policy that allows the immediate deportation of migrants is scheduled to end next week.
Meanwhile, NBC spent over five minutes (5:05) promoting the new Puss in Boots movie.
ABC was once again the stand out with Good Morning America giving the story two minutes and seven seconds of airtime. “Daily apprehensions now averaging 2,400+ in the El Paso sector over the last few days. This ahead of next week's possible end of Title 42, a Trump-era policy that allows for the immediate expulsion of migrants without allowing them to seek asylum,” warned correspondent Matt Rivers.
Speaking to co-anchor George Stephanopoulos, Rivers was notably shocked by what he was witnessing. But Stephanopoulos didn't show any concern:
RIVERS: And you can see there are still hundreds of people behind me waiting to be possessed by Border Patrol. Some people even lighting fires to try and stay warm. George, I can tell you, I've been reporting in this exact spot in Ciudad Juárez for years now on migration; I have never seen anything quite like this. George.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Okay, Matt, thanks very much.
The downplaying of this new chapter of the border crisis was made possible because of lucrative sponsorships from Progressive on CBS and Liberty Mutual on NBC. Their contact information is linked.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s Good Morning America
December 13, 2022
7:12:35 a.m. EasternROBIN ROBERTS: Now to the major surge in migrants in El Paso, Texas. Federal officials have reported a record number of encounters on the U.S./Mexico border in the last year and there are new concerns that it could soon increase. Matt Rivers is just across the border in Mexico with more. Good morning, Matt.
MATT RIVERS: Good morning, Robin. A Trump-era health policy known as Title 42 has allowed U.S. immigration authorities to quickly expel many migrants here at the U.S./Mexico border and yet there are now fears that if that policy will end next week, what might happen next.
[Cuts to video]
This morning, U.S. migration facilities operating on overdrive in El Paso as hundreds of migrants cross the border in a matter of hours. Parents tiptoeing through the river, children in tow praying upon arrival. Others forced to wait for hours under a looming border fence.
In a year filled with mass migration to the U.S., this stands out. Migrants just a stone's throw from downtown El Paso burning whatever they can to stay warm overnight. Migrant facilities at capacity here forcing Border Patrol to transfer migrants to other parts of the border. A senior homeland security official calling the situation, quote, “an absolute mess.”
Daily apprehensions now averaging 2,400+ in the El Paso sector over the last few days. This ahead of next week's possible end of Title 42, a Trump-era policy that allows for the immediate expulsion of migrants without allowing them to seek asylum.
Eddy, Ediani, and their twins are waiting to cross until Title 42 is lifted.
[Speaking in Spanish]
EDDY: [Speaking in Spanish]
RIVERS: They keep trying to cross because they're looking for a better quality of life.
They’ve tried to cross once and were expelled under Title 42. Still, they won't stop trying.
[Cuts back to live]
And you can see there are still hundreds of people behind me waiting to be possessed by Border Patrol. Some people even lighting fires to try and stay warm. George, I can tell you, I've been reporting in this exact spot in Ciudad Juárez for years now on migration; I have never seen anything quite like this. George.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Okay, Matt, thanks very much.
CBS Mornings
December 13, 2022
7:12:54 a.m. EasternNATE BURLESON: Border officials in El Paso, Texas are asking for more federal money after more than 2,400 migrants crossed the southern border there over the weekend. Officials say the arrivals overwhelmed local facilities.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas says that they plan to be in El Paso later today to speak with Border Patrol agents.
Authorities say they could see more migrants arrive after the U.S. stops enforcing Title 42, which is a Trump-era policy that doesn’t allow migrants to claim asylum due to public health concerns. The policy is due to expire December 21st.
The Biden administration is asking Congress for more than $3 billion to help Border Patrol agents and create larger processing facilities.
NBC’s Today
December 13, 2022
7:31:19 a.m. EasternCRAIG MELVIN: Now to that massive surge of migrants at the Texas border. It comes days before COVID regulations known as Title 42 are set to expire. The Border Patrol in El Paso now reporting an average of more than 2,400 illegal border crossings every day. The surge of migrants mainly from central and South America overwhelming border officials. A pandemic-era policy that allows the immediate deportation of migrants is scheduled to end next week.
