Students Forced to Learn Online to Make Room for Thousands of Migrants in Schools

For months, America has faced the devastating consequences of the Biden administrations actions (or lack thereof, many argue.) With the southern border wide open, millions of illegal immigrants have made their way — and continue to make their way — into the United States. As a result, authorities across the nation are actively engaged in the dilemma of where to put them.

Some states have used airports to hold them. Other states have kicked the elderly out of assistant living to make room for the undocumented migrants. Most recently, a high school in New York City has moved learning online to use the gym as a bedroom for almost 2,000 illegal immigrants — a move that immediately sparked backlash.

The decision was made in response to severe weather that came to the area. About 500 families were moved from a tent shelter in Floyd Bennett Field into James Madison High School.

“Unacceptable situation for all!” said Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (R). “Our public schools are meant to be places of learning and growth for our children and were never intended to be shelters or facilities for emergency housing.” Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R) added, “Floyd Bennett Field is entirely unsuitable for a tent complex, and … we are wasting taxpayer dollars to evacuate nearly 2,000 people when they should have been placed somewhere like the Park Slope Armory.”

Beyond New York, opinions are being voiced on social media as well. Elon Musk, chairman of X, posted, “This is what happens when you run out of hotel rooms. Soon, cities will run out of schools to vacate. Then they will come for your homes.” Allegedly, the migrants are supposed to stay only one night before returning to Floyd Bennett Field, but many are concerned their stay will extend well beyond that.

Since 2022, NYC has already received over 161,000 illegal immigrants, with over 7,000 just in the last two weeks. Eric Adams, the Big Apple’s Democrat mayor, estimates the city will spend roughly $12 billion within the next three years to furnish housing and services to migrants.

When it comes to the southern border crisis and how it has stirred chaos throughout America, experts and government officials are holding Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas’s feet to the fire. Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), who serves on the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, shared his concerns on Tuesday’s episode of “Washington Watch with Tony Perkins.”

Perkins emphasized that Mayorkas seems to make excuses rather than get anything done. “The secretary continues to say … ‘Our hands are tied, we need more money, and we need Congress to pass laws.’ But the laws were working before [he] came in,” he noted. “When the Trump administration was in place … [the border] was like a ghost town. So, what’s the deal?”

“Mayorkas is not allowing the men and women of Border Patrol to do their job,” Ezell replied. Instead, “They’re being forced to [be nursemaids]. They’re taking care of people that don’t need to be here to begin with.” Ezell emphasized that Biden’s border policies are forcing schools to displace students, assisted living homes to displace the elderly, and hotels to displace customers.

 “[A]s the [former] sheriff of my county,” he said, “… if I did not do my job, I would be removed from office.” Ezell added that it’s obvious those in the Biden administration are the ones at fault. “You can say all day long that the border is secure, and the laws are being enforced. But just look at what’s going on around the country. It’s wide open,” he said.

Congress has a lot on its plate, but a primary concern for many is the impeachment of Mayorkas, with the first hearing scheduled for Wednesday. According to House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.), Mayorkas is “the greatest domestic threat to the national security and the safety of the American people.”

As Perkins pointed out, “These are not the easiest times to serve in public office, but we’re grateful for those that are willing to embrace the call. And … as believers, we know the Lord calls us to these things, and that’s what gives us the strength.”