Suffolk Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 25, 2023, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) introduced The Migrant Relocation Transparency Act which would institute reporting requirements around the federal resettlement, transportation, or relocation of undocumented migrants. Joining Rep. Garbarino as co-sponsors of the bill are Representatives Lawler (R-NY-17), LaLota (R-NY-01), Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Chris Smith (R-NJ-04), D'Esposito (R-NY-04), Tenney (R-NY-24), Stefanik (R-NY-21), Langworthy (R-NY-23), Molinaro (R-NY-19), and Williams (R-NY-22).

"Tens of thousands of migrants have poured into New York as a direct result of the border crisis. Migrants have been dropped off at New York airports in the dead of night and bused up to New York City creating a tremendous stain on local resources, all without warning. To this day, the federal government has provided little to no information about the migrants they have relocated here or how they have been vetted," said Rep. Garbarino. "My constituents have a right to know who is coming into their community and local municipalities have a right to be given fair warning about the number, vetting status, and resources being allocated to any migrants being relocated to their jurisdiction. This bill would require transparency and accountability for the federal relocation of migrants, improve public safety, and prevent the administration from continuing to hide their role in these relocations behind cloak and dagger tactics."

The Migrant Relocation Transparency Act would require the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security to consult with governors and mayors of affected jurisdictions before any federally directed, administered or funded resettlement, transportation, or relocation of migrants, as well as submit to Congress and governors and make publicly available a monthly, state-specific report regarding resettlement, transportation, or relocation of illegal aliens that is federally directed, administered, or funded or that involves aliens subject to federal supervision pending immigration proceedings. Specifically, the report would require the following information:

• The number of aliens resettled, transported, or relocated, disaggregated by the number of single adults, members of family units, and minors, age, sex, and country of origin, and whether they are being resettled, transported, or relocated on a temporary or permanent basis;
• The methods being used to determine the age and familial status of such aliens;
• The types of settings in which such aliens are being resettled, transported, or relocated;
• The amount of federal resources being spent on resettlement, transportation, or relocation;
• Whether educational resources are being provided to such aliens;
• Whether such aliens are being granted work permits, and if not, how they are supporting themselves, and;
• The types of security screenings performed with respect to such aliens.

“In light of the forced, no-notice, and completely irresponsible relocation of numerous illegal immigrants into vulnerable communities all across the state, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Congressman Garbarino’s bill ensuring much-needed transparency from DHS and HHS. Consulting with local leadership before dropping illegal immigrants into a community is a no-brainer,” said Rep. Stefanik. 

"As we have seen in New York in recent weeks, the migrant crisis is not just affecting border states but is having a direct impact on my Hudson Valley constituents. The lack of coordination between federal, state, and local officials when it comes to the transportation of migrants is not only wrong, it also risks overwhelming infrastructure, passing unknown costs onto taxpayers, and jeopardizing the safety of residents. The Migrant Relocation Transparency Act will mandate the coordination with state and local governments that should already be taking place and help ensure migrants are properly vetted before being relocated into communities in New York and across America," said Rep. Lawler.

"The Biden Administration’s reckless policies have led to chaos at America’s borders and a migrant crisis that impacts all corners of the country, including New York. The startling lack of coordination between the Biden Administration and state/local partners in responding to the migrant crisis has only exacerbated the problem and forced many unprepared communities to house migrants without much needed guidance from the federal government. The Migrant Relocation Transparency Act will mandate the Biden Administration properly disclose migrant housing plans and ensure state/local partners are not kept in the dark," said Rep. D'Esposito.

"By reversing President Trump's immigration policies, the Biden Administration has created a humanitarian crisis at our southern border and in communities across America,” Rep. Malliotakis said. “President Biden has gone out of his way the release thousands of illegal immigrants including drug smugglers and gang members into the interior of our country. His administration must be transparent about who is being placed into our communities so our local leaders can take action to keep their communities safe.”

"The Biden administration has transferred illegal immigrants to communities across New York and around the country, truly turning every town into a border town," said Rep. Tenney. "The Administration's lack of transparency and failure to notify communities in advance of such movements is unconscionable and irresponsible. The Migrant Relocation Transparency Act is a critical piece of legislation aimed at promoting accountability by requiring the Biden administration to consult with and notify communities impacted by the Biden Border Crisis." 

“Governor Hochul is sending migrants to Upstate New York without notice or authorization. Since Governor Hochul won’t be transparent, we are introducing legislation to force her hand. Upstate New Yorkers deserve to know what’s happening in their communities,” said Rep. Molinaro.

“The expiration of Title 42 and the open Southern Border have created a migrant crisis in New York that is extending to all regions,” said Rep. Langworthy. “For the past two weeks local officials have been forced to issue emergency orders while lacking complete, accurate information about migrants being relocated across the state. The very least we should expect from this Administration is consultation with local officials and transparency. This is a no-brainer.”

“The Biden Administration’s migrant shell game, where the American people are put last, has created a humanitarian and national security crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border," said Rep. LaLota. "Rather than secure the border and work with Congress to fix the broken immigration system, their careless policies have made every state a border state, impacted the life of every American, and created countless issues. We need common sense bills like the Migration Relocation Transparency Act to ensure the government is working in the best interests of the people and keeping us all safe.”

The text of the bill can be found here.