(Patriot.Buzz) – In a firm response to a baffling Biden administration policy, a coalition of 70 House Republicans, spearheaded by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), is demanding rescinding purported plans to convert U.S. airports into accommodations for approximately 60,000 migrants.
The coalition is asking Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to discard the proposals reportedly set forth by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The Republican group asserted, “These airports and their communities rightfully fear being transformed into larger versions of Chicago O’Hare International Airport, which has reportedly converted portions of its terminal into a shelter for hundreds of migrants.”
They further added, “At a time when the Administration is proposing higher screening requirements on known airline crewmembers due to security risks, we are extremely concerned about the lack of regard for security risks posed by housing thousands of unknown persons at airports, many of which support passenger air service and host sensitive military facilities.”
This concern follows a report that Chicago, a sanctuary city, began using the Chicago O’Hare International Airport as a makeshift housing solution for over 400 migrants.
Key Republican figures, including House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves (R-LA), and Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), are expressing alarm over the Biden administration’s actions.
They believe these actions misuse national airport infrastructure, stating, “We adamantly oppose these ill-conceived plans that blatantly ignore the true crisis at hand and would inappropriately utilize America’s infrastructure.” They call for Buttigieg to maintain the intended purpose of airport infrastructure—to bolster commerce and travel—not to shelter undocumented migrants.
The letter highlights the border situation as a severe and unchecked issue, with an estimated six million undocumented immigrants entering the U.S. under Joe Biden’s tenure, with many disappearing into the country.
Republicans deem this a grave oversight of federal responsibility and are seeking clarity from Buttigieg on several points, including the extent of the use of airports as migrant housing and whether the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved such conversions.
Their questions probe the coordination between DHS and FAA on the suitability of housing migrants at airports and the FAA’s stance on the matter.
Since Biden assumed the presidency, the influx of border crossers and undocumented immigrants has surpassed the populations of 31 states, with close to three million reportedly released into various communities by DHS.
