During Tuesday’s vice-presidential debate between Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, CBS News debate moderator Margaret Brennan faced backlash for her handling of immigration-related questions, particularly her fact-check of Vance regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the role of the CBP One app in admitting migrants to the U.S.

Oct 1, 2024; New York, NY, USA; View from the Spin Room as Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz square off during the CBS News vice presidential debate moderated by CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell and Face the Nation moderator and chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Brennan’s fact-check came after Vance discussed the effects of mass immigration on smaller towns like Springfield, Ohio, where a large influx of Haitian migrants has sparked concerns among residents.

Vance referenced the strain on resources and infrastructure, which has become a national issue in the context of increased migration.

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“Just to clarify for our viewers, Springfield, Ohio, does have a large number of Haitian migrants who have legal status, Temporary Protected Status,” Brennan said, interrupting Vance’s comments about illegal immigration.

Vance responded sharply, noting that the debate rules prohibited fact-checking by moderators and emphasizing the complexity of the immigration system, particularly the CBP One app.

“So there’s an application called the CBP One app where you can go on as an illegal migrant, apply for asylum or apply for parole and be granted legal status at the wave of a Kamala Harris open border wand,” Vance stated. Brennan then cut off Vance, but the exchange prompted further scrutiny from immigration experts.

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Experts speaking with the Daily Caller News Foundation said Brennan’s fact-check was flawed.

Julie Kirchner, executive director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), said, “Brennan was wrong in her fact-check regarding Haitian migrants.” She explained that while TPS shields migrants from deportation, it does not confer legal status.

Kirchner, who previously worked in both Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), added, “Haitians who enter the country illegally and then obtain TPS are still not legally admitted.”

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Art Arthur, a resident fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, likened those using the CBP One app to individuals arriving at international airports without visas. “All those people who make appointments with the CBP One app have no right to be in the United States,” Arthur told the Daily Caller. “They are essentially here illegally.”

The CBP One app, introduced in 2020 and expanded by the Biden administration in 2023, allows migrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry and submit biometric data.

However, critics argue that many who use the app are inadmissible to the U.S., raising questions about the legality of their presence.

Brennan’s handling of the debate, especially her fact-checks, has drawn comparisons to the ABC-hosted vice-presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, where Republicans felt moderators unfairly targeted their candidate. Critics have also highlighted Brennan’s potential conflict of interest.

Reports from Trending Politics revealed that Brennan’s husband, Yado Yakub, worked as a “strategic advisor” for the anti-Trump Lincoln Project in 2020, raising questions about her neutrality.

Yakub’s involvement with the Lincoln Project, a group known for its opposition to Trump, and his donations to the group’s PAC, have added fuel to the criticism of Brennan’s moderation.

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Some have speculated that her ties to the Lincoln Project may have influenced her approach to moderating the debate, particularly in how she handled immigration questions directed at Vance.

The issue of immigration has been a central point of contention throughout the Biden-Harris administration.

Since taking office, the administration has overseen a historic surge in illegal immigration, with more than seven million people crossing the U.S. borders since January 2021.

The flood of illegal migrants has strained resources in towns like Springfield, Ohio, where an estimated 20,000 Haitian migrants have settled in recent years, creating a housing crisis.

The housing issue also became a focus during the debate. Vance argued that the massive influx of illegal immigrants was driving up housing costs, particularly in areas that lack the infrastructure to accommodate the new arrivals. “Twenty-five million illegal aliens competing with Americans for scarce homes is one of the most significant drivers of home prices in the country,” Vance said.

Brennan challenged Vance’s claim, asking for evidence linking immigration to rising housing costs.

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In response, Vance cited a Federal Reserve study and promised to publish the remarks on social media. Shortly after the debate, Vance shared comments from Michelle W. Bowman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, who stated, “The inflow of new immigrants to some geographic areas could result in upward pressure on rents, as additional housing supply may take time to materialize.”

The debate over housing prices and immigration continues to be a hot-button issue, particularly in light of the ongoing migrant crisis.

Critics of the Biden-Harris administration argue that their policies have only exacerbated the problem, as the United States struggles to accommodate the millions of migrants entering the country.

Throughout the debate, Brennan and co-moderator Norah O’Donnell faced accusations of bias, with critics claiming that Walz received more lenient questioning.

Vance, who has been a vocal critic of the Biden-Harris immigration policies, highlighted the administration’s handling of the border crisis, stating, “We have a historic immigration crisis because Kamala Harris said she wanted to undo all of Donald Trump’s border policies. That has opened the floodgates.”

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As the U.S. grapples with record levels of illegal immigration and its far-reaching consequences, the debate over the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the issue is expected to remain a central topic in the 2024 election.

The clash between Vance and Walz on immigration policy, coupled with the controversy surrounding Brennan’s moderation, reflects the growing divide over how to address one of the most pressing challenges facing the country today.

Vance’s performance in the debate, particularly his sharp criticism of the administration’s immigration policies, has resonated with voters who are increasingly frustrated with the crisis at the southern border.

Whether this will translate into electoral gains for the Republican ticket remains to be seen, but the issue of immigration is certain to remain a key battleground in the months leading up to the election.