President Biden held a press conference after his $1trillion infrastructure deal passed through Congress on Friday. It followed months of wrangling with those in his own party. But White House correspondents capitalised on the rare press outing, with one asking Mr Biden about reports claiming he is considering paying $450,000 to migrant families who were separated at the border under Donald Trump’s administration. The President scornfully rejected the reports, stating the reimbursement figure was wrong, before yelling if someone “lost their child” at the border they deserve to be compensated.
Earlier this week, Mr Biden rejected reports he was considering paying $450,000 to migrant families who were separated as part of Donald Trump’s border policy.
The zero-tolerance policy under Mr Trump allowed border authorities to split up families who attempted to enter the US illegally – in an attempt to deter them from making the journey.
But Mr Biden has repeatedly rejected the reports, arguing instead the figure was wrong – but did not rule out compensating families.
During a White House press conference following his infrastructure bill announcements, Mr Biden was asked where did he “stand” on the reports which he branded as “garbage”.
Mr Biden once again rejected the suggestion and said: “Now here’s the thing, if, in fact, because of the outrageous behaviour of the last administration.
“You coming over the border whether it is illegal or not.
“And you lost your child! You lost your child, it’s gone!
“Then you deserve some kind of compensation no matter what.”
Mr Biden’s infrastructure bill passed by a vote of 228-206 after the President faced opposition from Democrats in his own party.
Following the victory, Mr Biden said: “We’re looking more forward to having shovels in the ground, to begin rebuilding America.”
“For all of you at home, who feel left behind and forgotten in an economy that’s changing so rapidly, this bill is for you.
“The vast majority of those thousands of jobs that will be created don’t require a college degree. There’ll be jobs in every part of the country: red states, blue states, cities, small towns, rural communities, tribal communities.
“This is a blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America, and it’s long overdue.”