U.S. Rep. Barry Moore cited the Biden administration’s “disastrous immigration policies” Thursday when he voted in favor of the Schools Not Shelters Act.
The legislation comes in response to recent comments by leaders in New York City and state.
New York Mayor Eric Adams reportedly said that he plans to house asylum seekers in 30 current and former public schools due to the city’s shelters being full.
Gov. Kathy Hochul agreed with Adams and said she has plans to house 1,500 migrants in three State University of New York campus dorms over the summer.
“Our children should not be forced to pay the price for the Biden Administration’s disastrous immigration policies,” said Moore (R-Enterprise). “This legislation would protect kids from having to share their schools with unvetted strangers.
“We don’t allow visitors into our schools without identification, so we also shouldn’t allow unvetted migrants in either.”
The bill applies to public elementary schools, public secondary schools, and colleges.
The Schools Not Shelters Act does not apply to shelter or housing provided in response to certain disasters such as a fire, flood, explosion, or tornado for which there has been a disaster declaration.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.