Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) is leading the charge against the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) new practice of housing thousands of “potential terrorists” at airports across the country.
The FAA is conducting screenings at airports including Boston Logan, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta and Chicago O’Hare as President Joe Biden’s policies flood shelters across the country and house approximately 7.3 million people. allowed the detention of undocumented immigrants. Immigration has increased since he took office.
The unusual move has angered Republicans in Congress.
“America’s worst terrorist attack began at an airport, so it is unconscionable that the FAA is allowing unvetted illegal immigrants and potential terrorists to be housed in American airports,” Self said. Stated. “Democrats’ lawless open border policies have turned America’s cities, schools, and now airports into processing centers for illegal immigrants. These nuisance practices cannot continue.”
Early in the morning, an immigrant mother folds a blanket next to her three children, who have slept overnight on the terminal floor with their luggage strewn about. The migrants are being held overnight in Terminal E at Logan Airport. During the day, they are taken to a welcome center, but at night they sleep on the floor or on benches inside the airport. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
On Thursday, Self led 36 of his colleagues to send a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker responding to dangerous practices they say deviate from the agency’s mission and endanger the safety of air travelers. I asked for
Michael Whitaker, Director of the Federal Aviation Administration (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
The letter describes the authority the FAA is exercising to use transportation hubs for immigrant residences, the steps the FAA is taking to ensure the safety of the facility and its operations, and information about where immigrants are being held. We are seeking answers regarding explanations, etc.
The FAA’s new and dangerous practices were highlighted during a February 15 House Transportation and Infrastructure hearing. Representative Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) was present at the hearing. asked a question Whitaker spoke about the FAA’s seeming violation of existing regulations that require FAA approval when airports engage in non-aeronautical uses.
“The decision was not to interfere with aviation use,” Whitaker said.
But Mr. Whittaker appears to have spent little time researching or even becoming familiar with the issue before condoning the dangerous policy.
“We’re going to wall off a section of the airport to hold unvetted illegal aliens, and U.S. passengers have to walk past them — they’re unvetted illegal aliens,” Perry said. –How will that promote the safety, availability and efficiency of these airports?”
“I think you’re outside my area of expertise. I’m not familiar with that,” Whitaker said.
After the awkward exchange, Self promised to take action.
This hornet’s nest is being kicked 👇
Why on earth does the FAA allow airports to be used as housing facilities for illegal immigrants?teeth @FAANews Will airports soon be able to house homeless veterans?
My team is taking action on this. stay tuned. https://t.co/JLRQLfb6fW
— Rep. Keith Self (@RepKeithSelf) February 15, 2024
In addition to leading the letter, Self introduced the Airport Immigration Control Act to address the issue.
Unlike most laws, which often run from dozens to hundreds of pages, this two-page bill would prohibit FAA administrators from allowing illegal immigrants to live on airport property and would prohibit illegal immigrants from living on airport property. It simply prohibits the use of federal funds to house immigrants. .
CBS News Boston footage captured “Dozens of families” of immigrants sleeping on the floor at Boston’s Logan International Airport helped escalate the problem in Congress.
Those families, including infants and infants, arrival At least since August.
In November, when Massachusetts reached capacity to support 7,500 families in its emergency shelter system, Massport interim CEO Ed Freni said, “Logan is not the right place to house people.” I must emphasize that there is no such thing.”
“They fly in from all over the place,” he continued. “We see about 20 to 25 cases a day.”
But despite these concerns, an unflinching FAA continues its practice of detaining migrants at airports and dramatically diverts law enforcement and government resources as states become increasingly unable to house large numbers of migrants. It is wasting away.
CBS News sources say Massachusetts State Police troopers are being paid overtime to help Logan work night shifts. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who appears to have ordered airports to house migrants, acknowledged that the conversion of airports into hotels has increased pressure on law enforcement.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency in Boston on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, citing an influx of immigrants into the state in need of shelter.(AP Photo/Steve LeBlanc)
“The airport has been a great partner, and I really want to thank the people at the airport who are doing a great job, including the state police officers who are managing the influx and outflow of foreign nationals while working their regular jobs.” ,” Healy told reporters at a press conference in January.
Mr. Healey’s office estimates that the immigration crisis could cost Massachusetts a staggering $915 million in 2025.
Mr. Self pledged to continue pursuing the matter and asked Mr. Whitaker to respond within 30 days regarding the questionable practice.
“It is imperative that the FAA operates within the law and ensures that airports remain focused on their primary function of facilitating air travel and commerce,” the letter reads.
Co-signers of the letter include Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Pete Stover (R-MN), and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY). , Rep. Byron Donald (R-FL), and Rep. John Joyce (R-FL). -PA), Aaron Bean (R-FL), Chris Smith (R-NJ), John Rhodes (R-TN), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R- (South Carolina), Harriet Hageman (R-WY)), Randy Feenstra (R-IO), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Michael Guest (R-MI), Randy Feenstra (R-IO) Weber (R-TX), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Kay Granger (R-TX), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Tony Gonzalez (R-TX), Jim Banks (R-IN), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Mary Miller (R-IL), Tim Tiffany (R-WI), William Timmons (R-SC), Claudia Tenney (R-NY) , Roger Williams (R-TX), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Bill Posey (R-FL), Neil Dunn (R-FL), Warren Davidson (R-OH) ), John Carter (R-Texas).
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News’ Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
