The intensifying scrutiny over a migrant shelter at Floyd Bennett Field has led to significant congressional action.
As reported by the New York Post, the House Natural Resources Committee, led by Republicans, has subpoenaed the Department of Homeland Security for details about the establishment of a migrant tent shelter on national park land in Brooklyn.
The subpoena demands documents relating to the planning and execution of the shelter, which was set up to accommodate 2,000 migrants on the grounds of Jamaica Bay. This shelter has since been linked to various community disruptions, including increased crime rates.
The committee claims that the Department of Homeland Security, purportedly in collaboration with White House senior adviser Tom Perez, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, orchestrated what the committee views as opaque dealings to initiate the camp's operations.
Spearheading the inquiry, Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman criticized the use of national park land for such purposes.
In his stern critique, Chairman Westerman described the utilization of Floyd Bennett Field as an egregious mishandling of national treasures meant for public enjoyment and conservation.
The local community has vocalized increasing frustrations, reporting a rise in panhandling, assaults, and other crimes since the encampment's establishment in August 2023. Additionally, students at a nearby high school experienced displacement when their gym was used to accommodate migrants during a storm earlier in January 2024.
Despite opposition, including a noticeable rally on June 23, 2024, calling for the lease agreement's cancellation, the setup persists. Representative Nicole Malliotakis has sharply criticized the continuation of the encampment, citing severe community impacts and obstructed legislative efforts aimed at the camp's closure.
DHS has countered these allegations by insisting on their cooperative stance, reporting that they have already surrendered numerous documents and conducted interviews to satisfy committee requests.
Representative Nicole Malliotakis expressed her ongoing concerns:
Since this shady, backdoor lease was signed nearly one year ago, I’ve been the only NYC member working alongside the House Committee on Natural Resources to conduct oversight as to how it came about, and bring attention to how the surrounding Brooklyn community has been terrorized by widespread criminality, including panhandling, domestic violence, shoplifting, and prostitution.
Internal friction regarding the oversight process continues, with DHS labeling the subpoena as merely a strategic move by the committee. The agency maintains that its actions have been transparent, facilitating the committee's investigation by providing the necessary documentation.
The camp's future remains uncertain as the deadline for DHS to comply with the subpoena approaches on August 23, 2024. The community and political stakeholders await crucial developments that may reshape national land use and address the intertwined issues of migration and local welfare.
The House Natural Resources Committee has subpoenaed DHS for records related to the establishment of a migrant camp at Floyd Bennett Field, accusing the Biden administration of misusing public lands and negatively impacting the local community, while DHS claims the subpoena is politically motivated.
