Scott Jennings showcased his sharp debating skills during a recent CNN panel as he confronted three liberal women over the complex issue of unaccompanied minors crossing the border. The discussion, hosted on “The Arena with Kasie Hunt,” followed a ruling by a federal judge that halted the transportation of 76 Guatemalan minors back to their home country. Judge Sparkle Sooknanan, a Biden appointee, issued an order that blocked the flights pending further legal proceedings.
In response to the judge’s ruling, Jennings decisively challenged the panel’s narrative about child separation. “We’re for child separation now from their families now. We used to be against that — now, I guess we’re for it,” he stated, highlighting a reversal in liberal attitudes compared to their previous opposition during the Trump administration.
Lulu Garcia-Navarro, who hosts a podcast for The New York Times, countered Jennings by asserting that “these children have family in this country.” Jennings swiftly rebutted, saying, “And their parents are in Guatemala, and the Guatemalan government wants them back.” This exchange exemplified Jennings’ commitment to addressing the facts, emphasizing the complexities surrounding how families connect across borders.
Pamela Brown, another panelist, interjected with a heartfelt perspective, referencing a specific case: “A 10-year-old little girl who lost her mother, and then she said she was abused in Guatemala.” Jennings acknowledged the complexities but maintained that many children were in the United States as part of a process to reunite them with their families in Guatemala. “They’ve been sent here for some period of time. They’re trying to reunite them with their families where they’re from, with a government that has asked for their return,” he explained.
Jennings pointed out that the ruling by the judge signified a shift in policy under the Biden administration, accusing them of attempting to keep families apart. He stressed his view that it was necessary to reunite children with their families. “Again, everybody is upset about this, and I don’t know why. They’re trying to reunite them with their families,” he reiterated, reinforcing his stance.
Brown pressed Jennings on the manner in which this was executed, asking if he was comfortable with how the decisions were made. “Woken up in the middle of the night over a holiday weekend, not having a chance to go before a judge to contest this,” she critiqued. Jennings responded firmly, “I understand you’re taking the administration’s line on this, but my general view is that their families in Guatemala, and the Guatemalan government, wants them back. We should send them back.”
Democratic strategist Adrienne Elrod chimed in, questioning the timing of the deportations and implying a lack of transparency. Jennings remained unflustered, insisting that while children have rights, they also have familial connections in their home country. “We’re not saying they’re criminals. We’re just saying they should go home,” he declared, showcasing his resolve in defending the policy.
The discussion illuminated the heated debate surrounding immigration policy and the complexities of each child’s story. Brown countered Jennings’ logic, suggesting that many of the children’s journeys to the U.S. might not have been voluntary. Jennings responded, “Do you think they made the conscious choice to come here on their own, or were they sent here for some other reason?” He maintained that the focus should rest on the need to reunite children with their families.
As the arguments unfolded, Jennings articulated a clear narrative: the priority should be protecting children and ensuring they return to the care of their families. “I know their story. They’ve been separated from their families. They’re trying to be reunited,” he concluded.
Adding depth to the discussion, Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Todd Lyons later emphasized that the Trump administration’s goal remains the reunification of children with their families back in their home countries. He articulated a commitment to locating unaccompanied minors, many of whom are found in dangerous situations. “We’re still going to attempt to locate these children, many of which we found in slave-labor type situations, sex trafficking,” Lyons said. This remark underscored the ongoing urgency of addressing the safety and wellbeing of these vulnerable minors.
Throughout the panel, Jennings adeptly countered liberal critiques, often leaving his opponents struggling to maintain their footing. By the end of the discussion, he had illustrated a crucial point: the aim of the Trump administration to reunite families is a compassionate response to a complex issue that holds significant implications for countless children impacted by migration.
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