House Republicans Write Buttigieg to Oppose Using Airports to Shelter Illegal Immigrants

November 8, 2023

A large group of House Republicans, including Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-MO) and Aviation Subcommittee Chair Garret Graves (R-LA), wrote to Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to express concerns about the potential use of airports as temporary shelters for illegal immigrants. A copy of the letter, which was signed by nearly 70 House Republicans, can be viewed here. 

Given the interest this issue is generating on Capitol Hill and in some communities, we wanted you to be aware of this development. In the letter, lawmakers ask for details on 'how many and which FAA-regulated airports are being used as shelters for migrants, whether the FAA has received or granted any request from an airport or government agency to use aeronautical facilities to house migrants, and any communications between the FAA and the DHS about the appropriateness of sheltering migrants at airports.'

AAAE continues to communicate with FAA and DHS regarding any actions that the federal government is taking in this area.