Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024
Floor Speech
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Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Madam Chair, my amendment would prohibit any funds from being used by the Department of Homeland Security to assist the Department of Defense to house illegal immigrants at military installations within the United States, specifically, referring to Coast Guard bases.
I had an amendment earlier today that passed by voice vote with no opposition. The reason why this is needed, unfortunately, is because the Governor of New York State, which I represent, sent a letter on May 12 to President Biden requesting that national parks as well as military installations and naval resources in and across the northeast be utilized as available space to maintain critical and essential public services to shelter and house migrants.
I know that it is hard to believe that in a post-9/11 world, the Governor of New York, of all places, would actually want to house citizens of other countries on our military installations, but sadly, that is the reality of what my Governor is requesting of the administration.
It is not the first time that this has been considered. Under the Obama administration, they had identified a number of bases that were accommodating individuals who were citizens of other countries, including the Army base in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, an Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas, and a naval base in southern California.
I think it is particularly important to note that we found roughly 250 individuals on the terror watch list at the southern border, but that does not include those individuals who are among the 1.7 million who have entered our country without any interaction with our government or our law enforcement.
There is a concern there that we didn't know who they are, where they are, and what their intentions are. They could very well turn up in New York City and try to demand housing because our mayor continues to incentivize illegal immigration and people to come to New York City to do so.
Mr. Chair, I think, again, in a post- 9/11 world, it would be ridiculous to allow citizens of other countries to become residents of our military installations.
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Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
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