A 47-page Senate report claims the Biden administration pressured U.S. airports to house migrants, risking traveler safety by compromising identity checks and security protocols. The report, titled ‘Flight Risk’ and released by the Senate Commerce Committee, alleges the White House directed the Department of Transportation (DOT) and its agencies to use airport facilities for migrant shelters or processing centers, despite warnings of potential safety hazards. The document highlights 11 airports, including Boston Logan, Chicago O’Hare, and JFK, where migrants were accommodated, leading to incidents such as thefts, disorderly conduct, and even a security breach involving an alien from Ecuador.
Internal emails show FAA officials prioritized the White House’s request to inventory airport facilities for migrant use, while DOT staff acknowledged the potential for ‘Fox News fodder.’ The report criticizes the administration for diverting federal resources from aviation security to support migrant operations, including allowing improperly vetted individuals to fly into the U.S. and reducing the number of air marshals. Senate Chairman Ted Cruz condemned the report as evidence of a ‘dangerous diversion’ of federal transportation resources, accusing the Biden team of putting American citizens at risk through an ‘open border policy.’ The report also highlights a 2024 security breach at JFK Airport involving an undocumented alien who bypassed security checks, raising concerns about the integrity of federal vetting processes.
Lawmakers and airport operators expressed alarm over the security risks, with Massport acknowledging that its facilities were not designed to handle migrant populations and warning of ‘unintended safety and security consequences.’ Despite these warnings, agencies continued to use airports for migrant accommodations, resulting in 329 service calls and 26 arrests between April 2023 and February 2024 at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. The report concludes that these actions represent a dangerous shift in priorities, prioritizing migrant management over traveler safety and homeland security.