Jen Psaki Confirms Report That the Biden Admin is Giving Cell Phones to Illegal Immigrants in Order to ‘Track’ and ‘Check In’ With Them

White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed today a report that the Biden Administration is giving cell phones to illegal immigrants in order to “track” and “check in” with them.

Fox News’ Bill Melugin first reported on the situation yesterday as he said in a two-part tweet.

In the first part, Melugin shared a video where a line of people were walking and reported, “NEW: We are in Brownsville, TX where we are once again witnessing the mass release of single adult migrants from federal custody.”

“This group was dropped off on a bus 2 hours ago and just left a NGO. I’m told several hundred are released here every day, mostly via parole,” Melugin explained.

Melugin then said in the second part, “Sources tell me w/ parole releases, the migrants are asked to turn themselves into ICE in a city of their choice.”

“I’m told many of them are given these phones by the government to track them and allow them to communicate w/ ICE, but there’s no way to stop them from being tossed,” Melugin noted.

Melugin also shared purported pictures of the phones that were being given to the illegal immigrants.

Sources tell me w/ parole releases, the migrants are asked to turn themselves into ICE in a city of their choice. I’m told many of them are given these phones by the government to track them and allow them to communicate w/ ICE, but there’s no way to stop them from being tossed. pic.twitter.com/tAogWloQgy

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) April 5, 2022

At today’s press briefing, Fox News’ Peter Doocy referenced the report and told Psaki, “Our team in Texas is saying that you guys are starting to give smart phones to border crossers hoping that they’ll use the phones to check in or be tracked border.”

“Which part of that is supposed to deter people from crossing illegally into the states?” Doocy wondered.

Psaki shot back, “Well I think, you of all people, since you’ve asked me a range of questions on this topic over a range of time, would recognize that we need to take steps to ensure that we know where individuals are and we can track and we can check in with them.”

Jen Psaki confirms Biden is giving FREE PHONES to illegal immigrants before releasing them into the U.S. pic.twitter.com/rJnbhTGXuK

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 6, 2022

Doocy also asked Psaki whether there was concern by anyone in the administration that some migrants may decide to take the phones and “toss them,” as Melugin noted, to which she responded by asking, “Do you have a record people throwing phones away?”

Doocy replied, “I’m just asking if that’s a concern,” to which Psaki claimed, “Our concern is ensuring that individuals who irregularly migrate to the United States proceed through our process of, you know, of course, being monitored, but also participating in hearings to determine whether or not they will be able to stay.”