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DHS Secretary Mayorkas In Del Rio For Briefing On Migrant Surge; Vermont Man Behind Organization That Brings Free Mental Health Services To Children At Rural Schools; Biden To Speak To Macron About New Submarine Deal; Indicted Ex-Trump Org. CFO Weisselberg Is Back In Court. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired September 20, 2021 - 14:30   ET

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

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[14:33:04]

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: Texas Governor Greg Abbott is requesting a federal emergency declaration to deal with the growing humanitarian crisis at the southern border.

Thousands of migrants, many from Haiti, are living under the Del Rio International Bridge along the U.S./Mexico border.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is in Del Rio, Texas.

And he said they have moved 3,000 migrants to other processing centers in Texas. And he warned that anyone who enters the U.S. unlawfully will be returned.

CNN's Josh Campbell is in Del Rio.

Josh, tell us more about what is happening under the bridge and what else we heard from the DHS secretary?

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Victor, you could see behind me this port of entry in Del Rio remains closed. State troopers guarding this part and other areas here as well.

That is because, under this bridge, there are those thousands of migrants who have set up this makeshift camp living in squalid conditions.

We're told they've been sleeping on the dirt surrounded by trash out here in the hot Texas sun. And that is concerned authorities.

This has been called a humanitarian crisis, both because you have thousands of people coming here trying to get into the United States and living in these terrible conditions.

But also because we're obviously still in the middle of a pandemic. And with so many people in close proximity, that has authorities worried.

As you mentioned, the DHS secretary was just here behind me moments ago giving an operational briefing of this site.

He had a message to the smugglers out there. He also described how this escalated so quickly from just about 400 people over a week ago to now over 12,000.

Take a listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: The volume of people was rather sudden, rather dramatic, very quick.

It is tragic to see families, vulnerable individuals, who have been deceived by treacherous and exploited smuggling organizations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMPBELL: Now authorities are trying to process these individuals. Mayorkas saying they will be sent back to the nations from which they came. That effort continues at a rate of about 3,000 a day, they are hoping.

[14:35:09]

But I want to show you this new drone video that our team shot this morning. You can see, under the bridge, there are still several thousand people that are here living in these squalid conditions.

One other video from our colleagues across the border from CNN Espanol, they shot this video that shows that migrants are continuing to come across, despite authorities surging resources to this location.

And so this has everyone here quite concerned not only because of the humanitarian crisis going on under the bridge, but also because the government itself has to now process thousands of people and fly them back to places like Haiti, which will take quite a bit of time, we're told -- Victor, Alisyn?

CAMEROTA: That drone video just really shows the scope of this problem.

BLACKWELL: Josh Campbell, in Del Rio, thank you.

CAMEROTA: So President Biden continues to face a diplomatic dust-up over the nuclear submarine deal. France's President Macron is furious. What President Biden plans to do now.

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[14:40:43]

BLACKWELL: All this week, in a special series called "CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE," we're spotlighting everyday people who don't make the headlines but still smash barriers and lift us all up.

CAMEROTA: So my champion is named Sean Perry and he's started an organization called "We R H.O.P.E."

I went to Vermont to see how that group is bringing mental health care to school kids at no cost to parents.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEAN PERRY, CO-FOUNDER, "WE R H.O.P.E.": When I walk out of the door and I'm headed to work, knowing that we are literally saving and changing lives, that is the most powerful thing.

CAMEROTA (voice-over): In a rural community, tucked between the border of Vermont and New Hampshire, the seeds of a mental health revolution are quietly being planted.

(BELLS TOLL)

CAMEROTA: Sean Perry, co-founder of the nonprofit "We R H.O.P.E.," is bringing mental health services to schools at no cost to the students.

PERRY: Hello, everybody.

(CROSSTALK)

PERRY: I'm here to make sure that if you have a difficult day, you have somebody to talk to.

We are able to help kids that would not normally have access to mental support. That is how we are changing the status quo.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When the pandemic hit, I didn't recognize my babies anymore.

CAMEROTA: And 17-year-old Lindsey and 12-year-old Jacob struggled with anxiety and depression during the pandemic.

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: It kind of felt like there was in icy ball in the back of my throat, I just felt so hopeless.

UNIDENTIFIED BOY: I just felt like I was stuck in a cage that I couldn't escape from.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I didn't know how to help them. If we didn't have "We R H.O.P.E." available through the school, I could have lost my kids down the dangerous little path.

CAMEROTA (on camera): One of the top causes of death for teenagers is suicide.

These statistics are really frightening. I'm the mother of three teenagers so I'm always attuned to their moods and mental health.

And then I personally remember being a teenager. And, for me, those were turbulent years.

Between the time I was 15 and 17, I lived in six different houses. There was a lot of upheaval and it did end up affecting my mental health.

Did you have some of the same issues.

PERRY: I struggled significantly with anxiety. In my 20s, I was hopeless, alone. And I made a deal with myself that I was going to go to the local park and just end everything.

And I woke up and I was like, I'm still here. I'm still here.

My purpose right now is to make sure that there's not another kid on this planet that has to feel the way that I felt.

How are we doing?

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: Good.

PERRY: Are you excited?

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: Yes.

PERRY: I'm excited, too.

CAMEROTA: How does "We R H.O.P.E." function in this school.

PERRY: We have a coach in a school for six hours. We can see 12 students five days a week for about 60 to 90 days. And then we rotate them out and get another 12 students in. It is very individualized.

Typically, when we see our kids, it is because of a behavior, blowing off class, throwing a desk, not doing your homework. We work backwards from that behavior.

We teach our kids thoughts create emotions, which influence or impact our behavior.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Before "We R H.O.P.E." entered or school four years ago, we have two school counselors for roughly 300 kids. We does our best but it wasn't enough.

"We R H.O.P.E." is a missing piece in education. If the students get the support to cope with anxiety, then they can learn.

CAMEROTA (voice-over): We gathered at the Hartland Diner to hear from the kids themselves.

(on camera): How many people felt more anxiety or depression during the pandemic?

All of you.

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: It was a really big negative impact on my life.

UNIDENTIFIED BOY: Kind of getting in fights and stuff.

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: I had a lot of anxiety.

UNIDENTIFIED BOY: My depression hit me so hard.

CAMEROTA: Give me a technique that "We R H.O.P.E." taught you.

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: I learned this new breathing technique breathing and you smell the birthday cake and blow out the candles.

CAMEROTA: How do you smell the birthday cake?

How many of you -- show of hands -- feel hopeful?

[14:45:04]

Even though there are tough things in the world? That is so great.

How do you explain what we just saw here?

PERRY: We keep changing the culture. We listen to what they need. And then give them the skills to learn how to work through it.

CAMEROTA: At the end of your day, when you're alone, and you're driving tomorrow, what is in your head?

PERRY: How to reach my kids. That's what I'm always thinking about. I want to be everywhere in the United States.

I do not stop. I'm beyond the relentless.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: And let you just say, if you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts or struggling, call the National Suicide Prevention line at 800-273-8255, or you can text "Talk" to 741741.

You're not alone. There are people waiting to talk to you. And you could do so anonymously.

I love what they're doing there, Victor, because I've talked to my kids about this, the amount of time they spent each week in algebra, but zero time talking about their mental health in school. Why?

BLACKWELL: You know what I love about this specifically is that they're with the kids for 60 to 90 days. So it is not a drop in and here is my issue and here is some techniques and go back about your life.

They work through a process, which is so important. I mean, for those of us who go to therapy and need it, it is important.

CAMEROTA: It is a lot of one and done for sure.

BLACKWELL: Right.

CAMEROTA: Yes. They know the kids and they teach them tools. So it is really great. BLACKWELL: Yes.

CAMEROTA: Of course, we'll continue to share these inspirational stories all week.

Be sure to join Victor and me and some of your favorite CNN anchors for a special night spotlighting everyday people who are changing the people world for better.

"CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE," it airs Saturday night at 8:00 Eastern. Victor and I will be hosting.

BLACKWELL: Yes. Smell the birthday cake, blow out the candles.

Stay with us.

CAMEROTA: That is exactly right. I've used that since then.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

CAMEROTA: All right, back to the news. A new prediction from Donald Trump's former chief financial officer who was back in court today. His legal team expects to see more indictments. We have the details ahead.

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[14:52:02]

BLACKWELL: President Biden plans to speak with French President Emmanuel Macron in the next coming few days as a diplomatic spat between the countries intensifies.

France is furious over the United States' nuclear-powered submarine deal with Australia and the U.K.. French officials say all three went behind their back and undercut a multi-million-dollar deal France had with Australia.

CAMEROTA: The fallout between France and the U.S. threatens to overshadow President Biden's first address to the United Nation's General Assembly tomorrow.

CNN national security correspondent, Kylie Atwood, is here with us now.

Kylie, how does President Biden plan to appease France's fury.

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: President Biden has reached out to the French president. They are expected to speak sometime in the next few days here.

A White House official described that President Biden wants to have the path forward with the French.

There's an understanding on the White House's side about why the French are frustrated. But privately, Biden administration officials say they are a little bit surprised by just how furious the French have been here.

Of course, this announcement that the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. are coming to this new security partnership, that they are providing the Australians with these nuclear-powered submarines is, of course, something that has driven the French to be highly critical of this.

They said that they didn't know that this was coming. They're calling it a stab in the back.

So you can see the Biden administration being very careful, reaching out to President Macron, trying to set up this phone call.

What will be interesting is to see if President Biden mentions this new security partnership at all tomorrow because of the fact that there's this riff between the U.S. and France.

It poses a significant challenge to President Biden's overall, you know, pitch that he has made that America is back, that he is going to strengthen alliances, because France and the U.S. are such traditional allies here.

So we'll see if this even comes up tomorrow.

But we do know that President Biden is going to focus on trying to take collective action to take on problems facing the world, like climate change and COVID-19.

CAMEROTA: Kylie Atwood, thank you.

Now to this. Long-time former Trump Organization chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, was in a New York courtroom today.

BLACKWELL: This was the first in-person court appearance since he was arraigned this summer on charges related to an alleged 15-year tax evasion scheme. He's pleaded not guilty.

CNN's Kara Scannell is with us now.

Tell us about what happened today.

KARA SCANNELL, CNN REPORTER: Today was the first court hearing since July, and it was set up to be a pretty mundane hearing when they set a schedule.

But we learned a couple of details from Allen Weisselberg's team. One of his lawyers spoke up and he said that he strongly believes that more indictments are coming in this case. He didn't say who or when or how many or why he believed it.

But we have been reporting the D.A.'s office is investigating another top Trump Organization official, Matthew Calamari. He's the chief operating officer.

It will be the same type of conduct they looked at Weisselberg for, corporate apartments and company cars that he had been received. Though he is in a very different position than Weisselberg. [14:55:05]

His attorney has said that if the D.A.'s office was going to charge them, they would tell them. And they, in fact, have told them to the contrary.

The D.A.'s office is declining comment.

But his lawyers said that they have received six million pages of documents.

And he held up a manila envelope that had a bulge in it like there was a thumb drive in there or maybe a hard drive, saying that they had just received, this morning, material that was found in the basement of a co-conspirator in this case, and that those records are tax returns.

So certainly, new color, new details coming out here. All part of the effort to extend as much time as possible for them to have to go over all of these documents.

So the judge said that he would give him the time he wanted. These motions are now due in January. That means the next time they will all be back in court is next July.

And the judge said, at that hearing, he will determine the trial date, which could be late August, early September, so just as we're heading into the midterms.

And of course, this investigation is still ongoing, separate from the Weisselberg charges. So there's certainly going to be a lot of scrutiny on the former president.

CAMEROTA: It takes a long time.

BLACKWELL: Yes, it certainly does.

Kara Scannell, thank you.

Big news for parents today. Pfizer says it's vaccine is safe for kids 5 and over. We've got new details about when to expect shots in arms.

CAMEROTA: And let's take a live look at the Dow right now. It's down more than 900 points at this hour. What's happening? What's causing this drop?

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