A bombshell report from the Senate Commerce Committee alleges that the Biden administration pressured U.S. airports to house migrants — despite internal warnings that doing so could jeopardize safety and airport operations.
According to the report, the White House instructed the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other transportation agencies to identify and convert airport facilities — such as terminals, hangars, and auxiliary buildings — into shelters or processing centers for migrants.
Internal government emails cited in the report reportedly show serious concern among staff. In one message, an FAA official called the request “an immediate ask.” Another DOT employee expressed alarm at the political risk, writing that the plan “would make for very bad media.”
The Senate document says at least 11 airports were involved, including major hubs like Boston Logan, Chicago O’Hare, and New York’s JFK. In some cases, hundreds of migrants were housed overnight. For example, the report claims that Boston Logan sheltered up to 352 migrants, resulting in nearly $780,000 spent on added security, cleaning, and transport.
At Chicago’s O’Hare, as many as 900 migrants were reportedly kept in a shuttle terminal. During that period, police logged 329 service calls, and there were 26 arrests for crimes like disorderly conduct and theft.
One of the most alarming incidents noted in the report: a 2024 security breach at JFK Airport. According to the committee, a man identified as a migrant entered a secure area carrying a box cutter and scissors.
The report criticizes the administration for diverting critical aviation resources to immigration operations, including reducing the deployment of air marshals. Senate investigators conclude that these moves undermined aviation security and constituted a risky repurposing of taxpayer-funded infrastructure.
Sen. Ted Cruz, the committee chairman, sharply condemned the actions, calling the policy “reckless” and a dangerous result of the administration’s immigration strategy.
