America is faced with the challenge of an increasing number of migrants finding their way across the border. As a result, the nation is somewhat divided in terms of sentiments towards migrants. In fact, some people are worried that the government is using public funds to transport illegal immigrants across America.
Recently, Rep. Matt Gaetz raised a question to find out if Delta Air Lines transports illegal immigrants from border states like Texas into the heart of the U.S. His question comes after conservative commentator Ashley St. Clair claimed that Delta was flying illegal immigrants from Arizona to New York.
She posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after noticing passengers with luggage from migrant processing centers on her flight.
“My Delta flight from Phoenix appears to be flying migrants who crossed the border and are being shipped to New York,” St. Clair posted. “When I asked a Delta representative if this was the case, he responded, ‘What does it matter? They’re humans too.’ What is happening???? Are taxpayer dollars paying for this????” Soon enough, her tweet went viral, with prominent figures like Elon Musk responding.
Rep. Gaetz sent Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastion, a letter about the matter last Friday. In the letter, Gaetz asked Bastion to point out specific details, such as the number of migrants Delta transported for governmental and non-governmental organizations since Jan 20, 2021.
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He also asked about how the plane tickets were purchased, the identification TSA required for illegal migrants, and if Delta receives incentives for flying them.
“As you are likely aware, certain NGOs receive federal grants, including through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program and Shelter and Services Program, making it possible that these NGOs are using federal money to purchase flights for non-resident aliens on Delta Air Lines,” Gaetz said in the letter.
“Even more alarming than American taxpayers footing the bill for non-resident aliens to be transported into our communities is that they may not be properly better.”
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“Therefore, I am concerned the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may be allowing non-resident aliens to board flights, including those operated by Delta Air Lines, with an alternate form of identification that meets a weaker standard than that used to verify the identities of American citizens who they fly,” he continued.
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This year alone, the Department of Homeland Security authorized a $350 million grant for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Part of the grant was slated to assist illegal immigrants in buying plane tickets and other expenses. Many Americans opposed the DHS using taxpayers’ money to cater to the costs of illegal immigrants.
However, this isn’t the first time illegal immigrants have been put on flights across America. In 2022, there were reports of illegal immigrants on flights in New York, Florida, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. At the time, the then-White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, claimed that the flights were to transport unaccompanied children safely.
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