Smugglers filmed dropping sisters aged 3 and 5 over border wall dubbed ‘morally reprehensible’ by White House
Rescuers located the girls after being directed in by camera operator
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Smugglers who were filmed dropping sisters aged three and five over the border wall have been dubbed “morally reprehensible” by the White House.
The young girls were dropped from the 14ft-high barrier along the US-Mexico border in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and the shocking incident was caught on security camera video.
“I have seen the video, and I think that any of us who saw the video were incredibly alarmed by the steps of smugglers,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday.
Authorities were able to find and rescue the girls, who are originally from Ecuador, after being directed in to the remote area by the camera operator.
Both girls were described by officials as alert but were taken to a hospital for health checks.
Read more:
- Biden news - live: Trump finance chief subpoenaed
- Damning report criticises Ivanka Trump’s flagship policy programme
- EPA to remove 40 Trump-appointed experts to restore ‘scientific integrity’
- Marjorie Taylor Greene says Biden’s vaccine passport plan should be called ‘the Mark of the Beast’
- Tucker Carlson says Matt Gaetz interview was ‘one of the weirdest’ he has done
Ms Psaki told reporters that the Biden administration condemned the actions of the smugglers.
“As Secretary Mayorkas said, the inhumane way that smugglers abuse children while profiting off parents’ desperation is criminal and morally reprehensible,” she added.
“Our concern and focus is on sending a clear message to the region that this is not the time to come, you should not send your kids on this treacherous journey, that these smugglers are preying on vulnerabilities in these communities.
“There are a lot of issues and steps we need to take to address root causes, so of course our concern is for the safety of these kids.
“These Border Patrol agents who saved these kids deserve our thanks and gratitude for ensuring their safety.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments