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Protesters Block Buses of Migrant Children; Tracy Morgan Speaks Out; New Bigger iPhones May Be Delayed; Tribute to Derek Jeter

Aired July 15, 2014 - 10:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Still ahead in the NEWSROOM, the crisis at the border putting a bright spotlight on the issue of immigration reform but could Democrats actually hurt the chance for real reform? We'll talk about that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: All right. We've been keeping an eye on the situation in Oracle, Arizona. You can see protesters are about to block the roadway here. They are expecting a bus bringing migrant children to a Boys' Ranch in Oracle. As you might expect these protesters do not want those children in their town. They want that bus to turn back.

Right now authorities say they cannot block the road. It would be unlawful. But as you can see the protesters are sticking by their guns. We're keeping an eye on that.

So let's actually talk about this. Crystal Wright is an editor and blogger for ConservativeBlackChick.com; Keli Goff is a columnist for "The Daily Beast" whose latest piece is titled, "How Liberal Love for Border could Sink Immigration Reform". Welcome to you both.

CRYSTAL WRIGHT, CONSERVATIVEBLACKSHICK.COM: Thanks Carol.

KELI GOFF, "THE DAILY BEAST": Great to be here.

COSTELLO: Thank you.

Crystal, I want to start with you. When you see what's going down in Oracle right now, what goes through your mind?

WRIGHT: Well, as an American, I think it's atrocious. And what goes through my mind is why are these children continuing to flood the borders? Because we have not deported about what, over 50,000 kids since October? So the signal we're giving is make this dangerous journey because if you come here, you can stay.

And I support the protesters because, Carol, frankly, Americans in this country are still struggling economically. People are not fully employed. People are struggling to put food on the table and take care of their own kids and then they see these kids coming over the border and Congress saying oh, we're going to give -- we're going to fund $3.7 billion to deal with this situation.

I think Americans and as Keli pointed out in her great piece, particularly Democrats now, are waking up saying what about me, I'm an American citizen. Nobody is helping me.

COSTELLO: Ok. So Keli, in light of the title of your op-ed, do you support the protesters as well in Oracle?

GOFF: Well, look, first things first. Obviously my heart breaks for these children, but as I wrote in a previous piece for "The Root" last week, my heart also breaks for the children in Chicago who had been slayed by gun deaths. There were 82 people shot in Chicago over Fourth of July weekend. That got barely a blip of coverage compared to the coverage of these children who are flooding and over the border are getting.

And so, of course, my heart breaks for these kids but what I'm simply saying is like a lot of Americans I'm starting to ask when our government is going to prioritize the kids who are already living here, who actually are their responsibility.

So I'm actually not surprised to see some of these protesters because I've been hearing from people from my home state of Texas who are saying, look, we're willing to sort of evolve on the issue of immigration if you will because you had people like my friend Jose Antonio Vargas, the Pulitzer Prize winning who's a Dreamer. He was brought here as a child through no fault of his own. And there were a lot of people who are saying, ok, you know, I can evolve on this issue of immigration.

Now that they started to evolve inspired by people like Jose who are taxpayers, even though they came here illegally, taxpayers who are good people who've contributed to this country, you are turning around and saying, wait, wait, wait, we have thousands of more children now that we also want American taxpayers to take responsibility for.

I think that the Democrats are making a mistake. I think progressives are making a mistake by pushing the President to grant amnesty to these kids because I think in the long run, they are going to lose -- in the interest of this battle -- they're going to lose the war in terms of support for longstanding immigration reform.

COSTELLO: Well, I will say, in Jose Antonio Vargas' case he's just been detained at an airport in Texas because he doesn't have the proper documentation -- right. He's an undocumented immigrant. Crystal, you were sighing?

WRIGHT: Well, yes because I think Keli is wrong. We don't have an obligation to take care of people who broke the law to enter our country illegally, continue to stay here, and Mr. Vargas, you know, I don't think -- you bring him up in your story, Keli, but what you are saying is that Vargas has a right to stay here because what, he was brought here illegally by his parents, he was a child once too, just like all those children trying to flood our borders. So you are saying deport them, but he should stay. I think that's the wrong argument.

I think you are right about one thing, though. Democrats are on the losing end of this because I think what's going to happen is it's going to reframe the debate on immigration. I think Democrats and Republicans alike who might have been supportive of some kind of amnesty are now taking a step back, that's why you are seeing all these protesters at the borders.

And to your point, Keli, especially black Americans are saying wait a minute in cities like Chicago, Detroit, and other -- and Washington, D.C., you have black kids getting slaughtered and like Reverend Jesse Jackson said, and I don't often agree with him, why can't they take a couple of those billions and help the situation right here in our own backyard.

So I think, if anything, this will reframe the debate, this will educate Americans about what immigration reform means and I think more Americans will want enforcement, not amnesty.

COSTELLO: Keli.

GOFF: Here's where I completely disagree with that comparison between Jose and these children. Jose has no cultural ties at this point to the country in which he was born.

WRIGHT: Neither do these children.

(CROSSTALK)

GOFF: That's not true, they just got here.

WRIGHT: So they should have been deported like Jose should have been deported when he first came over. What are you saying?

GOFF: But he wasn't. What I'm saying, Crystal, I don't know if you identify as African-American, I do, but if you drop me off in Africa, I couldn't speak the language. I wouldn't speak the language -- I wouldn't have any cultural ties to the continent.

WRIGHT: I'm black American -- I don't have any ties.

GOFF: Jose does not have cultural ties to the Philippines because he was --

WRIGHT: It's not the same thing.

GOFF: Why isn't it? He wasn't raised there.

(CROSSTALK)

WRIGHT: My ancestors, I can trace them, were brought over here on slave ships. We helped build this country. Don't try to equate slavery to illegals.

GOFF: He was brought here not by choice.

WRIGHT: Right. But my ancestors didn't say let me jump on the boat. Let me die from the journey.

GOFF: Neither did mine. But he didn't either.

WRIGHT: Come on Keli, come on. It's not the same argument.

GOFF: He has no cultural ties to the country in which he was born.

WRIGHT: Don't equate slavery to illegals deliberately breaking laws to come here. That doesn't mean they can --

GOFF: Carol -- if you see a difference, feel free let me know. But what I'm saying is, if you return me to a country of which I have no cultural ties because I wasn't raised there, I don't think that's fair. I wouldn't know how to survive there and neither would he or any of the other dreamers who were raised here in America.

WRIGHT: But you're saying we should deport -- you're saying -- Keli, you are saying we should deport the 50,000 kids that have come over since October.

GOFF: Who still has cultural ties to that country because they just got here?

WRIGHT: Really. A six-month-old has cultural ties to their country? Come on Keli.

GOFF: Well, he's not going to remember --

COSTELLO: Although I'm enjoying this debate and I am -- I am enjoying this debate, I have to (inaudible) -- I would just ask a prediction of both of you and hopefully you'll keep it very short.

These two lawmakers from Texas -- one a Republican, one a Democrat they have come up with this bill and they say that it will shorten the process for these deportations, so the kids will have a shorter period of time before they appear before a judge and this will help solve the crisis. They have 12 days to get it through both the House and Senate and to get to the President to sign it. What chance do you give it Crystal of actually happening?

WRIGHT: It isn't going to happen, Carol. You know it and I know it.

COSTELLO: Keli?

GOFF: Less -- but can I just say I wish I had a job where I could leave for a lengthy vacation before finishing my job? Don't we always have that in common?

WRIGHT: Yes, I agree.

COSTELLO: We all agree on that. Keli Goff, Crystal Wright -- thanks so much.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, comedian Tracy Morgan now recovering at home and speaking out for the first time since the crash that killed his friend and left him with serious injuries.

Nischelle Turner is with us. Good morning.

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENG: Hey, good morning Carol.

Yes, speaking out and taking action. I'll also tell you about the legal battle that Tracy Morgan is waging when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Comedian Tracy Morgan home now but still recovering from that limo bus crash that critically injured him and killed his friend. For the first time since last month's accident, we're hearing from Morgan who is definitely upbeat.

Nischelle Turner joins us now with more. Good morning.

TURNER: Hey, good morning -- Carol.

You know I'm just happy to report a little good news where this story is concerned because there's been so much tragedy. But for so many of his friends and fans it was heart warming to see Tracy Morgan with that trademark grin on his face.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you doing, Tracy?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, hey there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You look good, man.

TURNER: An upbeat Tracy Morgan flashing a peace sign and a huge smile as he speaks out for the first time since the horrific accident that nearly killed him.

The comedian appeared in good spirits Monday morning, moving gingerly and leaning on a walker as he got into a car at his New Jersey home. Greeting applause from reporters, Morgan rolled down the passenger side window, thanking everyone for the outpouring of support.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you feeling, Tracy? You look great.

TRACY MORGAN, COMEDIAN: I'm ok. I feel strong. I love you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You look great man.

MORGAN: Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you so much.

MORGAN: If you've learned anything from me, it's how to do a bad job.

TURNER: The "30 Rock" star and former "Saturday Night Live" cast member now recovering at home after his limousine van was rear ended by a speeding Wal-Mart tractor trailer on June 7. Morgan spent two weeks in critical condition at a hospital before being moved to a rehab facility for three weeks. He suffered a number of serious injuries including several cracked ribs, a broken nose and a severely broken leg. Morgan is now suing Wal-Mart contending the retail giant was negligent and their driver fell asleep at the wheel. A criminal complaint says that driver, Kevin Roper, hadn't slept in a period in excess of 24 hours before the crash that injured four and killed Morgan's friend, comedian James McNair known as Jimmy Mac.

Roper is charged with vehicular homicide for operating a vehicle recklessly and assault by auto to those he injured. He's pleaded not guilty. Wal-Mart has called the crash a terrible tragedy. They say they are cooperating with the investigation and are quote, "committed to doing the right thing for all involved".

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TURNER: Now, Carol, as you can see in that video, it did look like Tracy Morgan was still working at it but he was making some progress. It isn't clear exactly how long his recovery will be. But he is healthy enough to continue rehabbing his injuries at home with an aggressive out-patient program. His friend, Artie Fuqua has also been released from his rehab facility. So there's a little good news on both those fronts.

Now talking about Kevin Roper, he could face up to 10 years in jail if convicted. His next court appearance still has not been scheduled yet.

COSTELLO: All right. Nischelle Turner, many thanks.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, the rumor mill is again swirling around a new Apple product. The tech giant's new bigger -- it's a lot bigger -- bigger iPhone may not be coming up after all. I'll get it out. Hi, Brett Larson.

BRETT LARSON, CNN TECHNOLOGY ANALYST: Hi Carol, how are you. It's bigger, it's got a better camera, it's got stronger glass but there could be some big delays for those new iPhone 6's. We've got the rumors coming up on NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Bad news for some gadget lovers, remember those reports last month about Apple making new, larger iPhones -- ones with screen 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches across diagonally? Well, reports say those big iPhones may not be coming out any time soon.

CNN technology analyst, Brett Larson joins me now to tell us why. Hi Brett.

LARSON: Hey Carol, yes, this is some bad news for Apple -- if this rumor is true, it's bad news. The thinking behind this rumor is that the Safire glass, that's the new surface of these new iPhones which is incredibly durable -- we've seen it on line. You can see here it's been scratched, it's been burned, it's been bent. This is a very brave kid who is playing with this Safire glass. I would be afraid doing something like that it would shatter into shards and, you know, hit me in the face just for irony's sake. But the stuff is incredibly durable. But the problem with it being so durable, it's very difficult to manufacture. Normally we find the Safire glass on high-end watches. It's on the iPhone 5s, it's on the home screen and in front of the camera but the rumor is Apple is having a hard time making that glass so big in the high numbers they are going to need to supply all these phones.

And if the iPhone 6 is everything it's rumored to be, the lines are going to be around the block as they normally, so that is going to be a problem. Now, this isn't historically the first time we've seen a sort of manufacturing problem for Apple with the iPhone 4 that came out several years ago, they came in black and white and the white model was actually almost a year delayed because of the same manufacturing problems, there were small cracks in it. They were discoloring after they left the factory. So it will be interesting to see how they are going to handle dealing with a supply shortage like this.

COSTELLO: Yes, you know, we're all waiting for the next big thing from Apple. I would suppose they want to make these bigger iPhones to compete with Samsung.

LARSON: Absolutely and the new Samsung, the 5s that they have out is incredibly popular. And something nice about the Samsung -- the new Samsung Galaxy models is they are water-resistant. So you can spill on them, they can get dunked accidentally in water -- a lot of places we find our cell phones going. So it will be also interesting to see if they add that specification to the iPhone 6 that they make it so that you can spill a drink on it, you can accidentally drop it in the sink when you are on the phone or wherever you find yourself with your phone getting wet, it would be nice if they could get wet and not be ruined forever.

COSTELLO: You wouldn't have to put rice on it or whatever else you do, air dryer.

LARSON: Exactly.

COSTELLO: Brett Larson thanks so much. Appreciate it.

LARSON: Thanks Carol.

COSTELLO: Still to come in the NEWSROOM, all-star tribute to Derek Jeter and (inaudible) during a big stop on his farewell tour. We'll talk about that with Andy. Hi -- Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS: Hey Carol. This may be the best athlete tribute video of all time. We'll show it to you after the break.

Yes, bold claims here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: At tonight's all-star game and at many events during this baseball season, number 2 is number 1. Now as Derek Jeter prepares to hang up his Yankee pinstripes for the final time, he's getting a video tip the cap.

COSTELLO: Even those Red Sox fans were joining in this Jeter tribute grudgingly. But Andy, you say this is the greatest tribute video of all time.

SCHOLES: I actually get chills watching this, you know, because of what Derek Jeter just meant to the game of baseball for the last 20 years. You know, he's really been the face of the entire league and he's done it the right way. We've never really heard anything bad about Derek Jeter this entire time.

And tonight he's going to hit lead-off in the American League and in the bottom of the first inning -- that's probably going to be a special moment. You know when he comes to the plate, he's going to get a standing ovation probably for a few minutes and rightfully so.

Because like I say Carol, he's been the face of the league for about 20 years. Troy Tulowitzki, he's the Rockies shortstop. He's starting for the National League, he'll be on the field. He said of Derek Jeter, "He's the reason I wanted to be a shortstop when I was a kid. He's the reason I wear a number 2, and it's just going to be such a special moment when we get to honor him on the national stage because the Yankees not having the best of seasons this year. So this could be the last time we really get to honor Jeter on the national stage.

So this tribute does -- this Nike ad was really well done.

COSTELLO: It was well done. And I must say, I'm a Detroit Tigers fan and I hate the Yankees, but I love Derek Jeter. So he transcends all of that -- you're right about that.

SCHOLES: I'm not a Yankees fan either but you can't help but like Derek Jeter.

COSTELLO: I know. I'm going to miss him.

Did I tell you Miguel Cabrera's got (inaudible).

SCHOLES: I'm sure. I'm sure you are -- you did tell me that.

COSTELLO: I don't mean to take the attention away from Derek Jeter because he certainly deserves it. Andy Scholes thank you.

And thank you for joining me today. I'm Carol Costello.

"@THIS HOUR WITH BERMAN AND MICHAELA" starts now.