Sen. Ted Cruz and the Senate Commerce Committee have released a damning 47-page report alleging that the Biden administration exerted pressure on U.S. airports to house migrants in terminals and hangars, potentially endangering aviation safety. The report, titled ‘Flight Risk,’ details how federal officials, including the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other agencies, were directed to locate and utilize airport facilities for migrant shelters and processing centers. Internal FAA emails reveal that officials were urgently asked to assess available airport facilities for migrant use, indicating a high-level directive to prioritize migrant housing over standard safety protocols.
The committee highlights that at least 11 major U.S. airports, including Boston Logan, Chicago O’Hare, and JFK in New York, were involved in sheltering migrants. At Boston Logan, up to 352 migrants were housed overnight, with significant expenses incurred on security, cleaning, and transportation. The report notes that Massport, which operates Boston Logan, issued a warning to federal counterparts, emphasizing the risks and lack of resources for managing migrant populations. Despite these alerts, the airports proceeded with the housing arrangements, leading to incidents such as theft, disorderly conduct, and a fatal case, which prompted police intervention.
The report also points to a significant security breach at JFK Airport involving Kleber Loor-Ponce, an individual from Ecuador who bypassed security checkpoints and entered the secure area near runways. He was found carrying a box cutter and scissors, highlighting the potential dangers of allowing unvetted individuals into airport facilities. In Chicago, O’Hare Airport faced 329 service calls and 26 arrests between April 2023 and February 2024, underscoring the security challenges posed by the migrant sheltering efforts.
The committee argues that these actions represent a dangerous diversion of federal transportation resources, with the Biden administration allegedly prioritizing migrant housing over aviation safety and national security. The report criticizes the lack of proper identity checks and vetting for individuals entering the country through airports, raising concerns about the potential for terrorists or individuals with criminal records to access the U.S. aviation system undetected.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, condemned the Biden administration’s actions, accusing it of conspiring with local leaders to use taxpayer funds for housing migrants. He emphasized that the report presents a new perspective on how open border policies have led to the co-opting of government agencies, putting American citizens at risk and undermining the integrity of the U.S. aviation system.
The report’s findings have sparked broader discussions about the balance between humanitarian concerns and national security. While some argue that the administration’s actions reflect a commitment to addressing the migrant crisis, critics maintain that the measures have compromised critical infrastructure and public safety. As the issue remains contentious, the Senate is expected to take further action to address the alleged breaches in aviation security and the misuse of federal resources.