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6d ago

Senate Report Alleges White House Pressured Airports To House Migrants, Raising Safety Concerns

A GOP-led Senate Commerce Committee staff report alleges the White House directed transportation agencies to repurpose airport facilities for migrant sheltering.

A new report by the Senate Commerce Committee found the Biden administration pressured states, including Massachusetts, into housing illegal immigrants airports. That's exactly what happened at Terminal E at Logan Airport. (Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
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Overview

  • Released Nov. 25, the 47-page "Flight Risk" report says the Biden administration told DOT, FAA, FMCSA, and FTA to identify airport spaces for shelter or processing and to shift resources to support arrivals.
  • The committee cites Oct. 6, 2023 internal emails, including an FAA note referencing a White House request to inventory facilities and a DOT reply saying, "Yikes, this is definitely Fox News fodder in the making."
  • At least 11 airports were contacted, with detailed cases at Boston Logan (up to 352 people overnight and $779,000 in related costs) and Chicago O’Hare (as many as 900 people, 329 police calls, and 26 arrests).
  • The report highlights security concerns such as a 2024 breach at JFK, where an Ecuadorian national ran past a checkpoint toward runways and was found carrying a box cutter and scissors when detained.
  • Investigators say officials sidestepped grant-assurance rules limiting non-aviation uses and redirected transportation resources, including air marshals, while also tasking FMCSA and FTA with migrant-support activities.