SW Arkansas Times

House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar have addressed a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. This letter is part of an ongoing investigation into the migrant encampment at Floyd Bennett Field, located on national park property.

The committee seeks clarity on how New York City and the State of New York are managing the situation concerning noncitizen migrants. The letter states: "The Committee would like to understand how both the City of New York (NYC) and the State of New York are accounting for the need to declare a disaster declaration in light of the arrival of noncitizen migrants and what, if any, increased federal funding or reduced permitting timelines this may bring to bear."

The letter also highlights concerns regarding Governor Hochul's advocacy for the lease at Floyd Bennett Field despite lacking basic amenities. It reads: "In addition, it is the Committee’s understanding that Gov. Hochul personally advocated for the lease at Floyd Bennett Field despite the lack of running water or electricity at the site."

Furthermore, questions have been raised about taxpayer spending. The Department of Homeland Security allocated $640.9 million in Fiscal Year 2024 to assist local and state governments with migrant management, with over $59 million directed to NYC's Office of Management and Budget. The committee is seeking information on how these funds were allocated: "The Committee seeks to ensure this funding is fully accounted for, including the potential transfer of funds to unauthorized accounts."

Background information reveals that a migrant encampment was established by the Biden-Harris administration at Floyd Bennett Field in September 2023. A year later, an extension for this lease was quietly issued by the National Park Service.

Despite previous hearings where local officials expressed their concerns about using national park land for such purposes, Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams reportedly supported renewing this lease.

Legislative measures have been pursued by the committee, including H.R. 5283, which aims to prevent federal funding from being used to house illegal immigrants on federal lands. This bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2023.

The committee's investigation into this matter includes requests for documents, briefings, and interviews from various federal agencies as they continue to examine Hochul's and Adams' roles in selecting Floyd Bennett Field as a site for migrants.