The White House said the United States is a country of immigrants and defended President Joe Biden’s comments calling two of his Quad partners – India and Japan – as well as Russia and China “xenophobic” countries, which it claimed were Unlike the United States, immigrants are welcome.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in response to a question about Biden’s remarks at an election fundraiser on Wednesday that the president was making a “broader point.”
“He made a broader point. Our allies and partners know very well how much this president respects them,” Jean-Pierre told reporters at his daily news conference on Thursday.
“As you know, as far as Japan is concerned, they’re just here for a state visit. The U.S.-Japan relationship is an important relationship. It’s a deep, enduring alliance,” she said.
“He (Biden) made broader comments about the country, about how important it is to be a nation of immigrants and how it makes our country stronger. So, that’s what he said,” she said.
“It has to do with our relationships with our allies, which continues. Obviously, we have close relationships with India (and) Japan. If you look at the last three years, the president has certainly focused on those diplomatic relationships,” Jean- said Pierre.
“He was talking about who we are as a country. He talked about the importance of living in a country of immigrants, especially when you look at the attacks that we’ve seen recently, over the past few years, especially those attacks on immigrants ,” the White House press secretary said, defending the president.
“The president will always speak very clearly about issues that are important to the American people. We are a country of immigrants. That is important. We have seen these attacks. So the president will never shy away from that,” Jean-Pierre explain.
“It’s important for us to remember that we are a nation of immigrants. I’m paraphrasing what he was talking about in these comments and what he focused on: a nation of immigrants makes us stronger. It’s important to be very clear about that, “she says.
Speaking to supporters at a Democratic fundraiser Wednesday night, Biden said, “This election is about freedom, America and democracy. That’s why I need you so much. You know, one of the reasons our economy is growing is because Why? Because we welcome immigrants.”
“We look for – reasons – look, think about it. Why is China stagnating so much? Why is Japan in trouble? Why Russia? Why India? Because they are xenophobic. They don’t want immigrants,” said the presumptive Democratic nominee Biden said.
India and Japan are members of the Quadrilateral Strategic Security Dialogue (QUAD), which consists of four members, including the United States and Australia.
Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit last year, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the White House for an official visit in April.
Biden’s immigration policies have been under attack from opponents and Republicans, with hundreds of illegal immigrants entering the United States every month.
Immigration is a hot topic in the Nov. 5 presidential election, in which Biden will face off against former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.