Biden declares there are 'more important things going on' when confronted about ignoring border in crisis

President Joe Biden declared Tuesday that he will not visit the southern border because it is not something he believes is a priority.

On Monday, the White House disclosed that Biden would be traveling to Arizona to celebrate manufacturing jobs and the CHIP and Science Act. The president, despite being near the border, will not be visiting the border, where a migrant crisis remains ongoing under his watch.

Before his departure for Arizona on Tuesday, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked Biden why he was avoiding the border.

"There are more important things going on," Biden responded. "They're going to invest billions of dollars in the new enterprise in the state."

Biden says ‘more important things’ than border crisis as he heads to Arizonawww.youtube.com

Biden has not visited the border as president, despite overseeing the largest border crisis in American history.

Between migrants apprehended by immigration officials and those who were never caught, more than 5 million migrants have entered the U.S. since Biden became president nearly two years ago.

Not only has Biden avoided the border as president, but there is, despite White House assertions, no evidence that Biden has ever visited the southern border outside of a brief "drive-by" while driving to a campaign stop in New Mexico in October 2008.

What did the WH say?

After Biden's remarks triggered outrage from Republican lawmakers, the White House released a lengthy statement elaborating on Biden's comments.

Seizing on Republican emphasis that the economy is the most important issue gripping Americans, the statement appeared to justify Biden's refusal to adequately address the border crisis.

"The president was clear that his top priority is investing in the American economy and in American communities, out-competing China, and bringing back American jobs from overseas," the White House told Fox News. "In fact, as Fox News’ own analysis showed, the economy is the top issue for most Americans. If anyone believes that shouldn’t be the president’s top priority too, they should say that out loud.

"President Biden is focused on real solutions, not political stunts," the statement added.

However, outside of economic issues, immigration is the second-most important issue to Americans, according to Gallup.