Homeland Republicans Raise Concerns of Security & Public Health Gaps in Migrant Travel & Vetting

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, led members of the Committee in calling for answers on the Biden Administration’s policies for processing and vetting migrants for travel into the United States, in response to concerning information they learned during a trip to the southwest border from personnel on the frontlines of this crisis.

The letter, signed by Ranking Member Katko and all Committee on Homeland Security Republicans, highlights the severe security gaps posed by the Administration’s manufactured process to bypass security requirements and board migrants on domestic flights to destinations across the country. Additionally, they point to the lack of requirements for migrants to present a negative COVID test prior to traveling shortly after crossing the border illegally.

“Committee Members made a commitment to these hardworking personnel that we would take their message back to Washington, D.C., and continue advocating for their voices to be heard by senior leadership in the Biden Administration, including at DHS and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),” wrote the members.

“While there are many troubling elements regarding the crisis along the southwest border, we are particularly concerned about the security gaps posed by the Administration’s policies for processing and vetting migrants for travel into the United States,” continued the members. “According to DHS personnel on the ground, there are no requirements for migrants being placed on flights and busses across the country to show a negative COVID-19 test.”

“Also, for migrants who show up at the border with no paperwork or documentation, CBP is forced to take them at their word regarding biographic information including their name and even age,” concluded the members. 

Read the full letter here.

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