United States President Joe Biden says two of Washington’s closest allies, Japan and India, are xenophobic countries for not opening up their borders for massive migration as he defended his government’s position to open the borders for migration.
Mr Biden made those remarks at a campaign reception on Wednesday, stating both India and Japan are struggling economically because “they are xenophobic. He also took a swipe at Russia and China, claiming that the two countries “don’t want immigrants”.
“Immigrants are what makes us (the United States) strong,” the 81-year-old told the crowd at the reception as he continues to defend his administration’s immigration policies that have allowed hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants to cross into the country’s borders.
Mr Biden is under pressure from Republicans and some members of his Democratic Party to find a solution to the crisis at the southern borders, which has put many American cities on edge with hundreds of illegal migrants flocking into the country from around the world every day.
To downplay the seriousness of Mr Biden’s volatile comments as being out of proportion, the White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the president was only trying to echo the country’s friendly immigration policies and not insult other countries.
“Our allies and partners know well in tangible ways how President Biden values them, their friendship, their cooperation,” Mr Kirby said.
