We are funded by these Television Companies and more including cox. Koolende vries syndrome is extremely rare. Hi. But friends dont have to be. This is joe. When youre connected you are not alone. Cox supports cspan as a Public Service along wit these of the Television Providers give you a frontrow seat to democracy. Up next nuke state officials testified on placing migrant camps on National Park service land. They oppose the recent approval of the field in brooklyn by new yorks governor to be used as a temporary site to house migrants come into new york city. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] the committee will come to order. Without objection pitchers authorized to declare recess of the committee at any time. The committee is meeting today to testimony on destroying americas best idea, examining the Biden Administrations use of National Park service land for migrant camps. Ask unanimous consent of all members testifying today be allowed to sit with the committee, participant in hearing from the dais. The gentleman from new york and the gentleman from new york, additionally we have got the gentleman from new york, and mr. Texas mr. Pflueger from texas and from new york. Without objection, so ordered. Under Committee Role for at any for Opening Statement are limited to the chairmen and ranking minority member. Ive ever asked in this consent all of the members Opening Statements be made part of the hearing record if there submitted in accordance with Committee Role 30. Without objection, so ordered. I now recognize myself, or before before we get into tess when i will recognize less so for an Opening Statement. Good morning. Thank you us here today. New york city democrat mayor eric adams recently said that the endless flow of Illegal Migrants to his hometown will quote destroy the city. Hes right. Last week i saw that firsthand and the numbers dont lie. In august of this year 232,000 Illegal Immigrants flowed across our southern border that adds to the 6 million that a flowed across the border since President Biden was inaugurated. In the last 11 months of this fiscal year, an unbelievable fact, 25,000 pounds of fentanyl has been, 151 people on the terror watchlist seven apprehended at our southern border. And theres one more number, eight. Eight democrat mayors were governors have declared a state of emergency because Illegal Immigrants have flooded their cities and states. The endless flow of Illegal Immigrants over our southern border is not only destroy individual cities and states, its destroying our country. Now the Biden Administration is looking to spread this chaos to one of americas greatest ideas, our National Parks. Let me set the stage. Gateway National Recreation area unit of the National Park system is the lifeline to the outdoors in the middle of new york city. It provides space for the cities larger Security Guard campground, fishing and boating access, and even a unit of u. S. Naval sea cadets corps. Last year gateway had more than 9 million visitors. Facing political pressure the Biden Administration rubberstamp the lease proposal to allow the construction of shelters for migrant inside the park boundaries. The Committee First heard rumors of bibles plan in late august. When i visit the area last week dash of bidens plan. The lease was signed and would not be surprised if the constructing Migrant Children as a speaker officials told me verbatim that they are shortcutting nepa to build these camps. Ceq backed it up with a Public Statement and i quote, there is not time to complete an Environmental Assessment before action must be taken to address imminent threats, end quote. Now, this is interesting, and contrast of a ceq chair mallory stated in may of 2023 at a Senate Hearing and i quote, one of the key functions is to prevent the damage and cost that arise from rushed, buys and incomplete environmental decisionmaking, end quote. In case you didnt catch that im going to say it again. Four months ago the ceq chair said that quote one of 2027488001 function is to keep the damage. And then ceq last week stated to the press quote there is not time to complete an Environmental Assessment before action must be taken to address imminent threats, end quote. Our founders talked about our job as we the people, said in order to form a more Perfect Union, not a Perfect Union but a more Perfect Union, to establish justice and secure domestic tranquility and the preamble goes on. But look at those first two things, establishing justice d to turn domestic tranquility. How does two sets of standards establish justice . How can one interpretation of the law for months before another interpretation give anybody assurance that we are working towards a more Perfect Union by establishing justice . How does the actions that were seeing across the country and at the southern border, how does that give us confidence that we are accomplishing domestic tranquility . And for the more, this action is on a piece of National Park service land that in its enabling legislation specifically prohibits housing. It wouldnt matter if it were on a mountaintop, but this land happens to be in a floodplain that flooded just this past weekend. Isnt nepa supposed to protect human lives works how is building a migrant camp in a floodplain humane . I cant tell how many times i sit right here in this room and listen to my colleagues pontificate on the sanctity of the bedrock environmental law. Even as some of those conversations contribute to Energy Poverty for Everyday Americans. Yet, now that the president is facing public backlash from it border crisis unlike any this nation has ever seen, the administration has suddenly reverse course ignoring every Environmental Protection in the book. Time and again we seem President Biden and his folks embrace these rules for v and not for me. Its absolutely a shameful way to govern. Once again there is no justice in a double standard. Last week i write a letter to secretary deb haaland National ParkService Director charles sams demanding to know more about how their plan to help migrants in National Parks claim to be. Clean the role of ceq and sign off on the socalled emergency action. The secretaries yet to respond and her silence is deafening. We need answers. Last week in new york city i got kicked out of the process of facility and was refused a a. I heard park Officials Say they are bypassing our environmental laws to build migrant camps in a small park used by a Million People a year who live nearby. Its a rare green space in the midst of the city. Our National Parks of some of americas most treasured places. And as i said earlier they had been called our best idea. I will not sit back what President Biden takes them away for a crisis of his own making. Building camps on Park Service Land in the middle of new york city is not addressing the real problem. Its putting another bandaid on the bigger problem. Having 118, 20,000 migrants in new york city is but a small amount of whats affecting the rest of our country. This Administration Needs to own their mistakes and take the corrective actions to stop the flow of migrants. Its not just me saying that. Its not just republicans saying that. President biden and his disaster at the southern border is now affecting our National Parks. Enough is enough and i look forward to hearing the testimony here i yield back and recognize the Ranking Member for an Opening Statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, when you assume the leadership of this committee i was cautiously optimistic. Its no secret that the gap between our policy views is wide. Wide. But ive come to think of you as a reasonable and principled call eight. I hope that these qualities would be reflected in the committees work, but todays hearing is neither reasonable nor principled. It is a dehumanizing political stunt. The current influx of migrants as a humanitarian crisis, no doubt. That deserves meaningful comprehensive solutions, solutions that are rooted in upholding our basic values and human rights, and solutions that would provide resources to respond to the crisis and to the humanitarian needs that we are confronting. Solutions that are rooted, that are based on facts not rhetoric from maga talking heads. Solutions that accept the reality that we are dealing with. Solutions that deal, yes, with security. Nobody is denying that. No one on our site is saying lets open up the borders and see what happens. Has to deal with security. But we also have to understand that we are dealing with the Global Crisis. A crisis of major proportions affecting the third world primarily across this globe. A crisis built on poverty, repression and oppression, political and otherwise, undemocratic governments in all parts of the world. The violence, the collapse of civil society, organized criminal groups that infect and affect every decision for these countries and these communities. The climate that is impacting our world in a very direct way. And so this impact of the Global Crisis on, in creating the challenges that we confront not only in the southern border but across this nation are driven beirut causes, and were not dealing with those. Thats part of the solution as well. But we wont hear about any of that today because its not about solutions this hearing. Todays hearing is not meant for solutions. Todays hearing is an excuse republicans to double down on the failed policies of the Trump Administration. Its an excuse to distract the American People from the fact that republicans are pushing us into a Government Shutdown that doesnt need to happen. I can shut down double actually slow down the processing of asylum applications i might add. And finally this hearing is an excuse to use National Parks and public land as a political foil to fuel at the immigrant rhetoric that creates a division and creates the patient in our and that the Republican Party see as the only political advantage heading into the 2024 election. So of course we are going to hear about it and were going to continue to do about it. No solutions are just going hear about it. And for anyone who believes that this hearing is a sincere attempt to protect public lands, let me quickly relieve you of any misguidance that you might have on that. If my gp colleagues execute about the parks to increase something for the park service. Instead they have done the opposite, appropriations bill that cuts park service is already underfunded budget by half a billion. If my gp colleagues actually cared about our public lands they would take a real effort to hold oil, gas and Mining Companies accountable for the messes that they played on our public lands. Instead they do the opposite and continue pushing bill after bill to get environmental laws like nepa and industry achieve or even free pass to wreck our landscape and stick taxpayers with the cleanup bill. And if my colleagues actually cared about the American People they wouldnt be pulling this stunt and buddhist to get to work to keep our government funded an open, our most basic responsibility in congress. But if my republican colleagues are about migrant scapegoating, janine up the political rhetoric on this issue, maga drumbeats, fox news shout outs can speak a mccarthy retweets and dramatic distractions, then i would say theyre right on track and on target. This is a serious issue and its a crisis proportion. Nobody denies that. What we had hoped from the initiation of this congress, this house of representatives, that there would be some response to the initiative present by not compensate Immigration Reform and funding adequately. What needed to be done to deal with the humanitarian crisis here i suspect, and no, i dont suspect. I believe that this is a selffulfilling prophecy. You will not your solutions from my colleagues. You will hear the rhetoric weve been hearing over and over again. Hateful sometimes, not factbased all the time, and without a clear solution. If there is a middle ground and a consensus to be reached we want to work on that. But to say that this hearing is about protection, and epiphany has occurred to save our public lands is a mistake. Its an excuse. And the selffulfilling so fulfill the prophecy that americans need to be aware of is that the worst that it gets, the better in the political calculations of the Republican Party. Has the Biden Administration done everything . Hasnt responded the way it should every time . No. I have complaints about capacity, resource allocation. And being able to respond to this in an effective and efficient way, i have complaints about that. But congress has not done its job. This is a broken Immigration Law that weve been dealing with for decades. And if the republicans are serious, we are serious to find solutions and common ground. But if this is just about the maintaining of political advantage or more division using this going into 2024 as the only issue that republicans have, then we cant work with that. So as we go forward with this hearing, i can only say that this is not an opportunity to discuss in serious manner solutions. This is a meeting to try to create the division and the rhetoric that is being pumped into this issue over and over again. With that, i yield back, mr. Chair. The gentleman yields back and i remind the committee it is fully under our authority and jurisdiction to oversight over the National Park service. This is an issue that is important to our committee and i believe to the American Public on the broader issue of immigration i will say that republicans have acted. They passed, we passed h. R. Two the secure our border act, the companies that Immigration Reform bill, the first time it has been done definite since ive been in congress, in any kind of memory that i have of laws being passed. The senate unfortunately has not taken that built up. I hope give them another opportunity to do that. Before introduce the Witnesses Today i will note that we planned on having two panels today. The first panel would have included National ParkService Director chuck sams, diy solicitor anderson, and the Principal Deputy assistant secretary many but they chose not to appear before us today. All of these we understand laden intimate role at the request of the white house to rubberstamp the lease. However i realize we provide a little over a week stones, i expect the delight and National ParkService Officials who signed off on a state of emergency want to urgently discuss the matter with congress and the American Public. We noticed this hearing on the First Business day after the lease was signed. With that being said, we would use all available tools at the discretion of the committee to compel them to discuss this matter with us and the American People in the near future. I do want to thank the witnesses who agreed to testify before us today and i look for to hearing your testimony. Our witnesses are the honorable joanne ariella, new York City Council will the honorable Jamie Williams new york state sme member for the 59th district. Ms. Eleanor acer come senior director of refugee protection at human rights first, and mr. Kenda spencer, chairman of the United StatesPark Police Fraternal Order of the police. Of police. Let me remind the witnesses that under Committee Rules you must limit your oral statements to five minutes but your entire statement will appear in the record. To begin your testimony please press the on button on the microphone. We use time the lights when you begin the light will turn green. At the end of five minutes light will turn red and ill ask you to please complete your statement. The chair now recognizes councilwoman aerial for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chair and thank you mr. Wray teacher as well as the members of the committee. The primary duty of the National Park service is to protect the National Parks in the National Monuments under its jurisdiction. And keep them as new in their natural state as this can be done in view of the fact that access to them must be provided in order that they may be used and enjoyed. These what a written by steven, the first director of the National Park service back in 1925. 1925. For much of the last century they have helped you until now. With the offering a sign of the lease, the federal government is going directly against what mather and countless other officials to the decades have repeatedly said should be the primary duty of the National Park service, rather than providing access to this National Park space the federal government is restricting the ability of the public to fully enjoy the 1300 acres of parkland on the shores of jamaica bay it instead of enabling public access, the National Park service is instead agreeing to house 2000 people on the former runway of this aviation landmark. Not only is his decision to house thousands of violation of the founding ideals of the National Park service but is also a violation of the agreement made to establish the gateway National Recreation area as well pick. September 26 of 1972 then congressman frank nebraska made it clear why this site is incompatible with any plans for housing at this location. There are no pseudowords come the site will come no kurds come the streets, no schools, though medical facilities houses of worship. Floyd bennet field is totally failed land with water eight feet below the surface. Transportation facilities are virtually nonexistent and the nearest subway is four miles from the site. A single bus route now serves the area. August and explain dierks city faces a a serious lack of open recreation space than fully been a few would provide that open green spaces for countless residents of brooklyn, queens and beyond. Thanks to his argument, constructing housing floyd bennet field was removed by vote of 76 to 13. Floyd bennet field was made a part of the gateway National Recreation area. Today the situation is not much different than it was back in 1972. The closest subway station still four miles away. The area still is no schools, medical facility houses of worship and still only serve by one bus line. What has changed, however, is that the park now welcomes as many as when we people per year to enjoy its open spaces and programmed events. It also is home to specialize in my pd units can a Training Facility for the department of sanitation and even a Marine Reserve unit among other assets. All of the stand to be disrupted by the placement of 2000 people, or if the Mayors Office is to be believed, as many as 7500 people in the area. The decision to house thousands of people at the site has also been done without following the proper protocols necessary for such an endeavor. Namely, the decision is being pursued without following the federally mandated nepa process or pursuant to nepa the National Environmental policy act federal law requires agency decisionmakers make informed decisions via a codified system of studies, assessment, and input sessions, at the neva book itself states clearly actions taken in response to an emergency are not exempt dnieper review. Therefore, the nepa process must be complete before any agency makes a final decision on the proposed action. This was not done. Additionally there was no process of Public Notice effectively shutting out the dilley of local committee to voice concern about the sudden and radical change to the local parkland. This is effectively turn our National Park something wallace saying to one said a best buy did we ever had, and nestled the american, absolutely democratic. This is something that entirely undemocratic indeed. Already received program that shouldve taken place at floyd bennet field be canceled to accommodate this base camp cook already an art festival from jamaica bay Rockaway Park conservancy has been scrapped and we can be sure that additional plans, planned events will follow. The placement of the micro base camp at floyd bennet field flies in the face of the ideals of the National Park service and erodes the democratic underpinnings that have been the hallmark of our parks since their inception. For these reasons it is vital the federal government revoke the lisa floyd bennet field and enable the public to fully use this space, just as they have continually done since 1972. Thank you for the time. Gentlelady yields back. The chair now recognizes assemblywoman williams for five minutes. Is it on . Good morning, chair and ranking chair. In recent weeks the governor of new york state and the mayor of new york city proposed a plan to use our National Park floyd bennet field via the Biden Administration to temperate house migrants, have become a great concern for our community. Please let me share some of these concerns. This past weekend was almost five inches of water covering runway 19, the exact location proposed for housing the migrants. This is not an isolated event but rather a frequent occurrence. This serves as a stark reminder to the potential dangers of floyd bennet field. In addition it is a transit desert and has no infrastructure, no plumbing, no electricity, no switch system. As you may know, ceq mandates a rigorous review of environmental, social, Economic Impacts to any project. However, in this particular case it is evident that Due Diligence was not executed in compliance with multi step decision process. This noncompliance not only negates the law but also risks unforeseen detrimental consequences on multiple fronts including the socioeconomic wellbeing of the local residents, of the environmental of the area. They failed to adhere to nepa regulations for the eliminate the glaring shortcomings in evaluating the proposed plan. Nepas binding release are designed to safeguard against environmental detriment of proposals in caring, ensuring the preparation of Environmental Impact statement. The absence of these critical assessments raises grave concerns about the underlying environmental sustainability and safety of relocating migrants to this area. Floyd bennet field in National Park is a treasured Natural Beauty and biodiversity. Housing individuals here is equivalent to tarnishing the sanctity of yellowstone National Park. The irreversible damage a floor and in the dish of our National Beauty are contrary to the ethos of conservation and preservation that National Parks symbolize. The 1972 decision by congress against the housing plan of floyd bennet field based on its inadequacy for resident must not be overlooked. This historical precedent serves as a legislative evidence of the sustainability of the areas. Revisiting and overturn such wellfounded decisions without adequate reassessment suggests a lack of prudence and disregard for established legislation. Migrants, many of whom have already faced immense suffering, are entitled to a safe and secure living environment. Placing them and a flood prone area during an active hurricane season, as well as colder months ahead, is neither humane nor ethical. The proposal not only risks the safety of the migrants but also impacts the welfare and quality of life of the local residents surrounded. It is crucial to consider the cumulative implications of that unity which will have to bear the brunt of the socioeconomic and environmental disruption. In conclusion, on behalf of every resident of the 15 that the district i ask the dedicated members of this committee of Natural Resources to take these points into consideration and reject this proposal. Please reflect on our commitment to uphold the principles of our environmental stewardship, legislative compliance, ethicl responsibility, and humanitarian compassion. Together with your support we will continue to ensure that our National Park and its Historic Sites will be preserved for future generations to come. Thank you. Assemblywoman williams, thank you for your testimony as well as councilwoman ms. Ariola. Thank you for your testimony. The chair now recognizes ms. Acer for five minutes. Thank you. Chairman westerman, Ranking Member grijalva, and establishment of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. My name was eleanor acer and im senior director for refugee protection at human rights first. My testimony today is going to focus on some of the key steps the Biden Administration and congress should take to ensure and sustain humane, legal and Orderly Processes as u. S. Communities both at the border and across the country receive migrants and people seeking asylum. Key steps include to significantly improve access to work permits, to increase critical funding to support reception inboard and destination communities, to properly resourced humanitarian aid for settlement, safe shelter, asylum and Immigration Court adjudications in the United States, and to reject and counter dangerous rhetoric painting migrants and asylumseekers as threats or invaders. In recent years the human rights situation in many countries in the americas deteriorated, pushing people to flee in search of protection, safety, and stability. In reality though, the vast majority of the worlds of refugees are hosted by countries other than the United States. 6 billion of the 7. 3 million now i think 37. 7 billion that 7 billion that have fled from venezuela are in other countries, in colombia, in brazil, peru, costa rica, other places in latin america and the caribbean. The United States is more than capable of humanely receiving and fairly processing the claims the people seeking asylum. The steps outlined in my testimony today are crucial to doing so. First, the prompt provision of work permits is critical to supporting u. S. Communities as well as for migrants and asylumseekers to support themselves and their families. The reality is that immigrants have always been and always will be a boon to new york city and the nation. In a letter to President Biden and congressional leaders, over 100 executives of major corporations explained that there are labor shortages in many u. S. Industries, and there is a compelling need for expedited processing of asylum applications and work permits. Last week the Biden Administration announced important steps to improve Work Authorization processing as well as to designate and extend tps for venezuelans. Moves that will help more people to work, house, support themselves more quickly. But more action is needed as outlined in my written testimony. Second, congress should increase shelter and support program funding, and increase funding to all cities receiving migrants and asylumseekers through the aspire act which we urge you all to support. Third, the Biden Administration should also doubled among some of the effective humane and legal policies that has already initiated or announced. And reject those that punish, band, and block people seeking asylum. I have laid out some key steps along these lines in my testimony and then happy to talk about this later further. Congressional support is essential to assure the appropriations needed to implement Effective Solutions to it by contrast, of congress to appropriate necessary resources, including via a Government Shutdown, is sure to sort orderly Migration Management and adjudications. Its deeply concerning to see many of the most harmful and an ineffective policies from recent years included in legislation passed by the house. Called the secure border act of 2023. 2023. Its a patchwork of extreme at the immigrant proposals that would shut down the use of asylum system and target families and children. Policies that van, block and turn away people seeking asylum are not a solution. They are actually part of the problem. The crisis were facing is a global humanitarian crisis. Other nations including those with far less resources are welcoming and hosting the overwhelming majority of the worlds of refugees. We cant and must be better, and i forward to discussing this with you further. Thank you for your testimony. The chair now recognizes mr. Spencer for five minutes. Thank you. Good morning, chairman westerman, Ranking Member grijalva and members of the Natural Resources committee. My name is Kenneth Spencer and my testimony this morning is delivered in my capacity as chairman of the United States park police, fraternal order of police. So the put, our represents the interests of approximately 350 sworn Law Enforcement officers of the United States park police. I am honored to be a today and very thankful for the opportunity to share officer safety concerns regarding the proposed migrant shelter facilities on floyd bennet field. On average, u. S. Park Police Officers protect 160,000 daily visitors to our National Parks in washington, d. C. , san francisco, and new york city. Patrolling a Geographic Area of over 30,000 acres and more than 75 miles of highway. Notably, we are the worlds leading Law Enforcement agency when it comes to supporting largescale special events and other First Amendment activities. Despite our sweeping Law Enforcement jurisdiction across floyd bennet field, and the surrounding communities, the september 15th, 2023 Lease Agreement between the interior department and the city of new york, 61 pages in all, includes only one reference to the United States park police. Which restate our role as a primary entity responsible for Law Enforcement issues outside of the camp perimeter within the boundaries of the park area. Tellingly, the National ParkService Never consulted with our agency or our officers to collaborate on Law Enforcement concerns or operational implementation. Let me be perfectly clear. Even without the Migrant Children floyd bennet field, we are at least 300 officers short of our required minimum level. Our capacity to serve and protect the public today is literally bursting at the seams. The idea that the u. S. Park police is prepared to address 2000 new migrants left under tents with nothing to do and no ability to communicate is that only imprudent, but it is also perilous. The proposed migrant shelter on floyd bennet field falls under the jurisdiction of our jamaica bay station unit. As of today, there are 25 sworn officers assigned to this unit. Typically there only to make officers on duty per shift. The impact is undeniable. Surrounding public and officers and migrants all jobs significant risks 24 7. Any addition to the extreme shortages of our officers, jamaica bay unit does not have any water studies needed to provide Law Enforcement services surrounding migrant camp. For example, we have one holding cell in our station phones and computers are at best, on reliable and they are unstopped most of the day. Their unsecured and accessible to at ground level the outside of the station. To my knowledge National Park service has no plan to address or place any of this in advance. In fact, the superintendent of gateway National Recreation area refuse to request any funds to the u. S. Terms even if one to ignore the staffing shortages and the dilapidated facility in the park service, i have many concerns about our agency readiness to protect the public any the migrants themselves. For example, Park Service Provider transmitters to facilitate medication . What would be the process of article, how can we protect migrants from dangerous currents to areas containing Radioactive Material and abandoned buildings for homeless are. What protections are in place for the sanctuaries, fishing areas childrens petting zoos . Im not a lawyer but under these dangerous conditions, i can only imagine what they might say. Our officers are passionate serving the public through opportunities. Conversely the National Park service directly scans in a region that is unprepared to mitigate against the safety risk. My customer this morning one of politics public policy, its all too real, dangerous and irresponsible. Regrettably, i fear for the safety of our officers, politics and migrants themselves. Thank you for the to have testimony today and i welcome any russians who may have. Thank you for your testimony your service to the charitable numbers for five minutes for questions will begin as for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman, talking about the public solution addressing the series. Gateway National Recreation area was created by congress in 1972 was a string of clean National Park experience to the new york fed collagen area. Think about that, bringing national metropolitan area. We have under the Biden Administration is the opposite. Its bringing new york metropolitan experience to the National Parks. I shouldnt be surprised about the hypocrisy of the Biden Administration. The purpose of the Land Management is to maintain working plans a few weeks ago we found out the Biden Administration is to walk up under conservation the purpose of the Resource Management is to manage Public Resources in colorado, my state proposed withdrawal of 1. 69 acres all land that will adequately claimed under the Resource Management plan so the National Park service in new york city wants to house thousands on parkland. I have a question for you, general trip planned for Recreational Area include provisions for migrants . Thats a recent hearing last thursday, discussing the migrant crisis and different shelters, i asked the administration if there was a plan in place if the National Park should become the migrant base camp. The first answer was its evolving. Where did they get the house my documents waving a regulation . Provisions and him have any support you can have propane tanks. The Forest Service for administrative function wondering colorado having temporary housing for agencies. Please leave initiative sites course housing to be open to causing wagons . Thank you very much. I am not next on parts of the law that governs him and him to educate the solution protecting people seeking i do not have the expertise. So you cant speak. This will become a template for other parts all over the United States . No, i like to stick to the areas i know that, i want to be completely accurate. Thank you but that is a big concern hoping he would shed some light on it. My next question, october 2021, the mayor of new york city made clear to protect our area new york city will remain in century city. However, you see behind me, this issue will destroy new york city so a lot can change. What do you think changed the mayors mind of the last two years . Has become before you, our National Parks, the mayor would have to answer that but we are here to talk about intent for our National Parks. My concern is new york city i will be part of our country and having trouble with the other communities . How are they going to be able to . I dont have the interconnect. Thank you so much. Thank you for being here. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california. Thank you, mr. Chairman. A lot of folks followed the work of this committee for nine months and they are probably pretty confused. Why are we here in the National Resource committee talking about migrant challenges we face . The asylum system being overwhelmed because of a complex set of issues talked about . Why is it happening here . Why do we have republicans who spent nine months in some cases their entire career slashing the National Park system and suddenly today gravely concerned about National Parks, why do we have republicans who spent time on attacking our got off and on the most to underline in any way possible regressive, why is this happening . The maga chaos that controlled this dysfunctional republican majority of three days away from shutting down the government. Welcome to destruction. It is talk about what that is going to do to the National Park system, they dont want to talk about what that will do to Border Patrol agents and asylum workers and everyone trying to deal with the difficult challenge. They want to change the subject and you see all of this vitriol because nothing induces for ventilation and destruction like this narrative one week ago his hearing was supposed to be the market so why are. Department officials were not here they were facing out there counters with real work but something changed. As we got closer to the maga Government Shutdown, a distraction was needed so this hearing must reported to an oversight hearing have to stretch and strength to even talk about that. That is why we are here and we have republican members living on the Committee Part of that, isnt that interesting my new york city . I dont think most of my colleagues care much about new york city most of the time but now dysfunctional republican majority runs through the state of new york. Right now because of unfortunate events, republicans managed to keep themselves elected to congress and about to be held accountable for the chaos and dysfunction of this crazy majority here are three days away from his and they need a distraction so thats why we are here in talking about this unlikely issue and why it is centered in new york city. It destruction and cover so i want to thank you for providing broader context and for the incredible work you do. As the that will happen three days from now. Could you speak to the inevitable impact when it comes to the folks straining to deal with this overwhelming situation provided managing treatment, processing asylum claims and including Border Patrol tough job of dealing with legal and illegal border crossings and about to go without pay because of the maga Government Shutdown, speak to what that means to the issues you are working on. Thank you. The Government Shutdown would be disastrous and undermine the u. S. Ability to manage migration and protection at home and usually shutdown week havoc, conversion for. When there was a Government Shutdown in 2019, 94000 had been canceled and put off for years and those added to the backlog. About what we are talking about here today. I have not heard the details how Something Like this would impact National Parks. In addition the Immigration Court, have real concerns about the impact that shutdown Critical Services conducted for in day out in the organization helping they would help sure its not happening. And out of time has expired and i was reminded about how it was republican that initiative was 6. 5 billion find the President Trump thank you for that reminder. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california. Thank you for the record. Constitution was americas best idea for the National Parks ideas have open border policy. Unquestionably americas first idea biden felt the deliver these into our country, a violation of federal 2. 6 million illegal aliens are law requires detain. That is the nation of the state law will patrol overwhelmed feeling that, another 1. 7 million known getaway of illegally entering our country an additional population. Philosophy performance West Virginia new mexico, virtually all desperate and dependent. The migrated to cities like new york hypocrisy declaring themselves ilLegal Immigration is welcomed and encouraged protesting the results of the ultimate tragedy. Mayor adams complained the 110,000 migrant the city will be destroyed. The immigrants with their consent and make the first place. We have the same problem in california, california voters so sorry but you get the government you vote for this is exactly what you voted for and if you are surprised, you werent paying any attention. Abraham lincoln said the voters are everything all. It was just to sit a while. It might be painful, hopefully it is a learning experience for same those who cheer for seizure. The Software Mass migration is being sent. The issue is the administration, the people elected to it not only allowed it but have actively encouraged it. The chairman called a mistake, they have done it pathetically and deliberately and this is going to continue until people responsible for these policies are turned. The issue is far beyond. Explain to me how it makes our immunities safer making it impossible for illegal aliens and release them back into our communities. This is sanctuary cities which new york oddly voted themselves into. How we protect our citizens by inviting the criminal cartel in our communities and flood them with fentanyl and others. How do we make our schools better backpacking classrooms . How we strengthen americas country will we make hospitals more like improve americans letting the labor market keep illegal labor . Countries cannot or will not. Without borders, we have no country. Longest International Territory and mexico. We finally secure our borders during the Trump Administration, remain in mexico policy in the bronx claims to a standstill and a boardwalk was nearing completion and deportation was being enforced. On his first day in office biden reversed those policies and the worst illegal mass migration and history. The bill passed hr to to restore our borders for the democrats are blocking the senate biden is deploying it. Mr. Hoffman made it clear democrats consider this is a distraction. I wonder the people might have a different opinion. The gentleman go back in the chair as the gentle lady from new york. Thank you, mr. Trial. Today the hearing on the National Park service. This is ironic considering the Publican Party is to get by approximately half a billion dollars in the appropriations bill and shutdown were many employees are across the country. This is to distract from avoiding a shutdown. Please, this is not about National Parks, this is about their inability. Politicians states like new york, texas and florida fuels this emergency. A crisis local state will be forced on. Instead of the demand of the day, the government and a shotgun, we need to come to the table and Immigration Reform. It is basically looking to attack. Simply feeling and screaming over lack of force from this committee, i am deeply served because i know inflation in new york city as a humanitarian crisis. New york city, let me make sure that people found from regardless of nationality in this city. The first is the respect and not treated as political every step time to put politics aside and go on. We start our conversation what is right to silence, the citys new explain the dangerous of what is providing asylumseekers same individuals very much many fears this is a specific for those seeking asylum. It was held in facility. I have spoken come to this country. What country is good for it was shot again and again to find themselves handcuffed and shackled to immigration and prison uniform for long periods of time denying him the notice. People seeking refuge. I outlined Many Solutions that are effective. If you for that and i get back. The gentle lady yells back in the chair recognizes for five minutes. People holding this feeling today ill start by saying dont turn a blind eye to refugees crisp work discussed, one of my colleagues are suggesting anything coldhearted however, someone from cultural hospitality and charity, if your own house is in order, for no to anyone. Conditions are very real and i want to say are colleagues in the ability or inability to process migrant paperwork. People who come deserve a chance to the American Dream ministrations policy managed has quickly become turner had no shelter to anyone. For policy journey every city in america for city and impact on undeniable new york city is the beneficiary an opportunity to come to the committee for the American People regardless of the failed invasion policy President Biden is not interested in transparency and accountability when it comes to the border migrant crisis in here. We had an official here today, but will be the message today. I would say the use of National Parks is not up for grabs and is on the east side of brooklyn, bipartisan and im sorry between what you are doing and the democrats that is not the purpose for we are here. We are here to protect National Parks that have become the house to the minors into our third use our constituents and throughout the state. It has become global. I will say there is no public hearing and i would ask on behalf of everyone constituents every american citizen i believe in our National Park to please withdrawal this. Thank you. Thank you what i would say is new york is in trouble. When you have a democratic mayor only a year ago the democratic governor saying youre leaving your country, go somewhere else, they are not. This is a bipartisan issue in new york city. We have 206 shelters that cost 383,000 a day of migrant to house them for National Parks which means we are at our borders here, cannot sustain it anymore. All of our hotels, available housing are full to capacity. Its 120 plus thousand migrants that have come in new york. We are seeing more and more People Living on the street. This is not humanitarian. We need to do something so what is the end of the appraisal. About half my colleagues said 2000 regularly longterm residents house for current president , it doesnt have force in Building Services the in the report is agencies hire Response Time. What will happen if we do fit not enough for the resident when there is an emergency not politics today, its not National Resources, opening a door National Park and president can happen one of parks and facing hate, i know. I like to emphasize the opening of hearing lining up differences in the books were finding solutions and those who are not. I like to record of the committee, to statements from what is known as the common office, the present a statement of migrant crisis and the second is a statement on during. About objection. Says here this statement is in opposition for newly arrived migrants. That is correct. So you are in opposition and in the letter it says the migrants arrived in new york follow the law, that will long. Yes. It has been. Are you aware have to arrived in the United States to apply for us . Arrival is also part of. I like to i like that trees oppose Work Authorization we have folks who are opposing the ability seeking a lawful process to support and who dont want to be a strain we have folks who want to block people American Journey every person here family comes from. But a short on the back and getting a job. With got the funding cost is too National Parks overall support. Of these things in the first place. And then in this process, i think it is important to note system will in this problem. If we are serious about this, we have to make sure we are opening the documented. This is partisan opposition. And addition to that, we need to be addressing foreignpolicy addresses we are making driving people to our southern border and the first place. There is so much rhetoric out here blaming other countries on their dysfunction to why people are coming to the United States when we are engaging in a policy abroad. When our sanctions are part of the picture. So we are either going to agree to those things and take on the responsibility of the consequences or reassess our policy. It is outrageous to use the city of new york readies asylumseekers, kids are enrolling in schools and people are doing it right away and trying to fill labor needs we have had is a city and state and we did make this as easy as possible. Perhaps there wouldnt be this situation if people were supporting smooth system. We didnt hear in your testimony, i understand, i didnt hear in your testimony was advocated for, could you remind me of what that was for. To house migrants . Alternative sites. In the conversation as we know i have 18 seconds. Propose an alternative . I dont have a proposal. You will have a proposal alternative . No propose alternative. No solutions, no ideas here but democrats, we are authorizing 500 will permit so people can get themselves. Democrats are proposing companies of immigration. We are talking about reassessing foreign policies so people make sure we arent participating in what is happening in all i am hearing is, no support, no solution, no identified alternative, we need to get it together and make sure the right place and preserving for both people coming and american citizens to support but. Dental ladies time has expired. The i just respond on the, i want to thank you for your leadership on this. Republican chair of Natural Resources this moment. I want to mayor adams was not thinking he would be ally in the last year but here we are so thank you for your leadership. Whether we like it or not, during a war. We are in a war with cartel. I am from idaho. Not exactly a border state. Seventyfour anyway but in the state of idaho, the first time in our states history, fentanyl has surpassed convictions related to methamphetamine. The numbers in front of me for related deaths but its off the charts. Faster local police in idaho part of the state small town recovered 30,000 fentanyl pills from one person and thats in central idaho. A way from the southern border, thats where they came from. Not only is the fentanyl epidemic impacting it is killing our next generation but this is not a priority for this administration. I was looking at your testimony and listening to you, welcome to our world in your party, this is what we are struggling with. For the month of september, we are about to break an alltime record of apprehension from the southern border and we wonder why it is a problem. In your testimony you spoke out, and shelter from migrants and not only does it violate sovereignty but placates the problem we have on the southern border. How many constituents do you represent in new york about. 270,000 this month alone we are looking at approximately 210,000 apprehensions on the seven books just this month and thats just apprehensions. Compared to the population your constituency, thats a huge number of people. As a new York City Council member and i apologize for not being on the front end of your testimony, you have heard significant pushback from your constituency . We are and to speak to giving any other type of alternative, we have done that. Alternatives were given and i do have it within our district. We are hearing from our constituents only have one police force and the other is 100. Each are down in numbers. We have no more than for carson patrol and the entire command at any given time. They can never get over the field and patrol the area. The Fire Department you look, we have the mayor who put out his management and Response Times for both nypd and fdny will are significantly will now about fdny covered which has fire hydrants that are not all operational but certainly he checked. Im just about out of time. From your comments, your constituents agree that we have a problem on our southern border and theyve lost their sense of humor on accommodating migrants, is that correct . Liquid, and will i cant emphasize enough i appreciate you being willing to do it and we need to come together solve this thing. Appreciate your leadership, i yield back. I know theres a lot of talk about funding in park service and since fiscal year 13, the National Park service increased 26 . The largest percentage of which was in 2018 under the Trump Administration and i will note and enter into the record the Biden Administration requested a decrease in 24 and their budget request and a 9 cut which is 1. 23 billion and my colleagues mentioned the interior markup at a halfbillion so ill enter that into the record. The chair now recognizes the gentle lady from mexico for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman and i want to welcome all of our witnesses here today especially those of you who traveled to be here. I do evenly welcome the opportunity to hear from our communities and local officials but i do have to note it is odd to have what appears to be a new york city county and City Council Meeting in the chambers of the house resources committee. I think it is notable members who sit on the committee did not have his hearing and actually support the city and states request to use this race and i want to clarify, information propagated on the other side of the aisle this morning my it was the city of new york requested this. It was not the federal government so i understand we have federal oversight role but it was the city of new york at the state of new york that asked is this emergency space which has been used previously this Emergency Shelter and other purposes including storm sandy so it is disingenuous for folks to represent this is something other than it is and there is this representation is mayor of new york and including this sign back here with respect to emergency this is not what the hearing is about, of colleagues the aisle unable to pass the federal budget and this is a publicity. Look at the posters and the record i walked into the this is not about the people of new york. I greatly respect the people of new york. This is a humanitarian crisis, this is a serious immigration issue, we do have a humanitarian crisis right now. There are thousands of people coming to the United States right now. I represent border state and the people of new mexico. We know we have to search for Real Solutions but if this was an actual oversight during on immigration, who would be a Different Committee for one and we would talk about actual policies to solve the problem is not what we are talking about. Its going to be brought to the floor in the coming days with the programs that help address is seven. It is ridiculous and not even a real budget. They bring a budget before that will not pass and they will shut the government down. It is truly outrageous, boggles the mind so i want to say if you want to work on Immigration Reform, work on Immigration Reform. We need an asylum to work, Border Security that is appropriate. We need to work on bipartisan Immigration Reform stop bringing Fall Solutions forward and stop using the people of new york for a publicity stunt and stop demonizing the people coming to this country to seek asylum. New york has always been a place of immigrants, every single country in the world has a community in the city of new york, the most international city. My own family came to new york city in the 1850s in ireland like many of your families did so if you want to be serious about Immigration Reform and the people of new york and helping people across the world who are struggling with violence and famine and economic desperation then come to the table and serious but dont use this committee as a political stunt. Dont use this committee to dehumanize people coming to this country and dont use this committee as a first trying to make the people of new york thing you care about them because thats not what its about so thank you for the opportunity to speak. That are recognized the gentleman from wisconsin and were recognized for five minutes. The other is to help more people. We only have two options currently at a given time. For the daytoday operation. You have two options. This william, i think i heard you say whats going on is not humane or ethical. Did i hear you correct . You did. Did i hear you say you want three bolts . I think the lease should never have been signed or asked for. It is the national federal. Is can do this revokes that. I believe you should. The committee should take a look at the possibility because it is not in the interest of new yorkers. Do you support this . Yes, i explained earlier i am not an expert on National Parks or legal system overseeing it so i will stick to my comments in my area of expertise. Did the minority tell you will be testimony . I about provision the challenges the border and major cities as we receive people seeking asylum. Real interesting. They do not send anyone to testify at this hearing and its almost like a bait and switch here, she knows she wants to testify but its not on the subject before us. You what is humane and morally right, keeping whats going on with fentanyl across our country is morally right . I think probably pretty well known from the Fact Checking and fentanyl which is disastrous comes primarily into ports of entry. Meet with someone who testifies before the Judiciary Committee ensure mark in tucson on the border and an open borders policy and fentanyl coming into america skyrocketed. The number one killer of young people in america fentanyl poisoning, not poisoning. I dont think thats right. Do you think theres other National Parks if need be would continue on the pace we are at the millions coming into america and we should turn National Parks into encampments . Thank you very much. Im not an expert on National Parks. A brief amount of time, do you support additional National Parks i have the National Lakeshore in my district if we continue, should we turn it into in encampments . I love National Parks i fully support but. You are not answering the question and its an easy yes or no should we use National Parks for this . Im going to close by saying america, if you dont know yet is a party that refuses to acknowledge what happened january 20 of 2021, open borders were declared america and this is what weve got and we hear from the other side not talking about solutions, we gave you a solution. We vetted it and parked it up. It secures the border. You can vote for it anytime, we gave you a solution. First, we secure the borders and we could do that in a minute if we wanted to. Republicans are defending your National Parks. The other side want to turn them into homeless encampments and the Ranking Member admitted the Biden Administration failed and i think thats all we need to know. I yield back. The gentleman yells back. Thank you. It has been a while since i have been held hostage in the circus here i am again and i want to welcome you to the circus. I did not know that we would be talking about new york instead of the republican Government Shutdown the is upon us in a matter of days. Instead of talking about the fact that the House Republicans interior appropriations bill shuts National Park serving by nearly half a billion dollars addition to the fact that it includes 2 billion for jobs for fall which destroyed public land and travel resources your repair big with no money for you. We are talking about new york city. This is an all over the place hearing all seekers, migrants and refugees from a Foreign Policy, new york from local Law Enforcement housing and with and anything we would normally talk about in this committee. Last month we heard from republican witnesses here to talk about mining extractions, rules or two long. Too many words on the pages. Here we are hearing about cities not following the. Disingenuous is the word i can use about what i am feeling and hearing and you are incorrect, its all about politics today. In her testimony about wanting up by policy coalition ager 3924 and this congress cant get it together keep the government open. You want more . Dont look to the republicans, shut it all down. You wont get done. Lets not kid ourselves, the Foreign Policy committee i wish we would talk about these issues. Instead we are talking, and russia, countries the last president was kissing behind like nobodys business. The issue in immigration policy we dont have . Absolutely. Republicans dont have one. Except harding hiding barb wire in the river name and kill pregnant women migrants. Give me a break. Voluntarily running into cities, provoking governors are flooding our cities with migrants using people as pawns and propaganda. This is a game and we are talking peoples lives. By the way, not President Bidens fault. It is drop by the former president who had reckless racist dean of public non Foreign PolicyForeign Policy so please dont give me that and i am sorry you dont have the dancing unit. You should talk to your mayor and city council but not to us. You probably dont have it because of the challenges with covid, early retirement, injuries, Strong Economy and settlements your city is facing. Not what happens under normal jurisdictions of this committee. Talk to the mayor, city council, talk to the governor, talk to the state assembly, the state senate. Im here to talk about what happens in the committee, republicans cant even edit together to talk about their own bill so we can prevent a Government Shutdown. I heard a colleague from the other side of the aisle bringing people to a white only brigade. Nonenglishspeaking people dont deserve to get support . I will end with this. In the late nights getting on an elevator to go down to the house, a worker comes at night to clean our offices and he doesnt speak very good english and you know what he said . He is your at night cleaning all offices for publicans and democrats alike. He said will there be any money . He cleans paycheck. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle dont think they care about that. Ask unanimous consent that we allow mr. Lawler to join the dais. Without objection. You are now recognized for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I just know it looks like mr. Spencer works for the use park police slide on the what mayor or city council he should be talking to. I think he should be speaking to congress. But look, we have a crisis in new york and it is a crisis of the making of the elected officials in new york city and new york state. Our southern border has been wideopen for years. Since Joe Biden Took Office nearly 6 million migrants have crossed the border. Many illegal. The asylum cases are taking two to three years to be heard. At minimum. When these cases are finally heard, nearly twothirds are being rejected. And yet new york citys response is to enact sanctuary city policies, refused to cooperate with i. C. E. , right to shelter policies, and using taxpayer funds to provide free housing, free healthcare, free education, free food, free Free Clothing and then be shocked, shocked that people would want to come to new york. Now, my family came through ellis island over 100 years ago. New york is a beacon. And i believe in immigration. My wife is an immigrant. She came to this country in search of a better life and economic opportunity, and education. Im proud of the fact she became a United States citizen to in half years ago. We have a 17 month old daughter who will have a better life because her mother chose to come to the United States of america. There is the reason people want to come here, and we accept that. We embrace that. We are a nation of immigrants, but there must be a process. You cannot continue to have tens of thousands of migrants across the southern border every week and be shocked that municipalities cant handle it. Having sanctuary city policies has been one of the dumbest things ive ever seen for years. And only now are democrats in new york finally wake up and going oh, this is a problem. You think . Eric adams and kathy local dont have the first clue how to handle this. Because to handle it would be to acknowledge that these policies have failed, would be to acknowledge that these policies dont work. Yes, we need to reform our immigration system. Yes, we need to deal with the at minimum 11. 5 million who are here undocumented. Yes, we need to have a more meritbased system that deals with our employment shortages, doctors, nurses, engineers, home health aides. We need immigrants in this country. They contribute to our economy. They contribute to our communities. They are good people, but the needs to be a process here and to allow this to continue in perpetuity as my democratic colleagues have for years, and immediately at the moment you raise the question, its racist, xenophobic. Total nonsense. Total nonsense. We are not a lady with a humanitarian crisis at the border, we are dealing with human trafficking, women and children being raped, assaulted, sold, fit no pouring into our country killing 70,000 americans fentanyl iija. Joe biden has been actually nothing. This is totally unsustainable. Eric adams said that if this continues it will destroy new york city. Theyre talking about 12 billion over three years, 12 billion in taxpayer money to deal with this crisis. The time for action is now. Hakeem jeffries the democratic leader, Chuck Schumer the Senate Majority leader both from new york, both from brooklyn, silent, pathetic. Grow a backbone, show some leadership, stand up and say we are not going to have a system like this anymore. Secure the border, we need more border personnel, we need more Court Personnel to these asylum cases immediately. Remain in mexico should be the policy of the United States period. Then deal with the undocumented. Deal with daca and fix the Legal Immigration system so that those people who want to come to the United States to participate in our economy, to have a better life for themselves and their children can do so but do so legally. That is all that needs to be done. This is not rocket science. All of my colleagues in new york city and new york state need to wake up and speak out and speak very clearly. With that, mr. Chairman i yield back. The china recognizes the german from rhode island mr. Magaziner for five minutes. Thank you charlie. I was excited to come over here because this theory is supposed to be about National Parks, and they couldnt wait to have a conversation with my colleagues who are apparently so concerned about the state of our National Parks or perhaps because they so concerned they will reconsider the budget built out there trying to move that would cut 436 million from the National Park service. A 13 cut from last year. Because they care so deeply about National Parks perhaps they will rethink their stance on h. R. 21, bill that would enable more than 400 million of public land to be given to the oil and Gas Companies for drilling. When we were debating that the Ranking Member put in an amendment that would prevent any new drilling in National Parks. My republican colleagues voted that amendment down. Perhaps now they will reconsider. Perhaps they will reconsider their support of President Trumps failed plan to remove 35 million acres from federal protection. The only president in history to have removed more federal land from protection then he added. And maybe they will rethink the language that they put into the house rules this year to value all federal land at zero dollars, the sole purpose of which is to make it easier to discharge protected lands from federal protection. So slashing funding from public parks and the National Park service, opening a protected land to oil and gas drilling, privatization. This is not how you protect National Parks, which im glad to hear my colleagues care so deeply about their i hope they will work with us in a bipartisan way on real policies to strengthen and support our National Parks program. And i hope they will show even a little bit of concern for the people who are im housed in new york city. To be clear, these are human beings, many of whom came to this country through a Legal Process, something that my colleagues often fail to acknowledge. In many cases these are migrants fleeing cartel violence, human trafficking, persecution from their governments. And they in many cases came to legal points of entry at the border to apply for legal asylum through a Legal Process under our law. And are now waiting for the cases to be heard, unhoused in new york and other places. So lets be clear about what were talking about here. Were talking about in new york city one former airport, it still has runways being used for temporary housing for people who in many cases are using a Legal Process. Were not talking yellowstone, not talking about the Rocky Mountains national, were not talking about iconic National Parks. Although unfortunately if members of the public or interest in visiting this parks that can be able to do so next week because of the republican Government Shutdown that is looming. All we are talking about though when it comes to temporarily housing migrants is an airport in brooklyn. Come on. Lets get serious here about real Immigration Reform that improve security, that provides legal avenues for an orderly system. Lets talk about real policies to protect our National Parks from budget cuts, from drilling. Lets protect our National Parks, that is what the work of this committee is supposed to be about. So with that, ill yield back. Thank you. Gentleman yells back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from minnesota. Mr. Stopper. Thank you for continue this important hearing today. Under this of Administration Every community has now become a border community. The failed policies of this administration have forced americans to suffer the disastrous consequences the matter how far they live from our borders. Its a shameful to see this has extended as far as our National Parks and other lands. I proudly served my command is member of the duluth, minnesota, Police Department for two decades 23 years and a free concert concert the Biden Administrations migrant crisis has impacted the safety of our Law Enforcement and our communities. Since the spring of 2022 over 100,000 migrants have arrived in new york city. Over that same time, the city manager describes in the average Response Time for crimes in progress when people call the police, they are delayed and delayed and sometimes its Violent Crimes that are delayed. Councilwoman ariola with the new york pd clearly overburden with the increase in crime across your city, are you concern that the growing migrant crisis will further overextend resources for the nypd . Absolutely. Are you concerned about Response Times for people that are calling for help . Yes. And so what effect will this have on the safety of your constituents . It will absolutely adversely affect the safety of our constituents and any migrant that would be placed on floyd bennet field. As a as a victim of a viot shooting myself, i remember getting on the radio and calling for help, and help arrived within 30 seconds because i was in the downtown area. In my mind when i was interviewed, i thought it was several minutes. When you need help by Law Enforcement in critical times, you need it now, not three or four minutes there and im sad that your constituents have to go through this because of this disastrous border policy. What are you drink from your constituents regarding the increase in Response Time for those kinds in progress, for the Small Businesses, for the people who are walking and being assaulted and robbed on the street . Apps in the migrant crisis were in great concern from our constituents for those very reasons. We are always asking for more police to be placed at our precincts, more patrols on our streets, more beat cops are president ial and our commercial strips. And its just unable to be how is the morale . Extremely low. Mr. Spencer, imagine hosting a camp for 2000 microtek floyd bennet field in timber housing will make it much more difficult for the park police and nypd to do their job or can you explain edition Law Enforcement challenges that will come with the migrant camp at floyd bennet field . Thank you, congressman. Basic of right now we struggling day today to meet our Mission Requirements with what we do. Speaking of that, tell us your daytoday duties of the u. S. Park police officer. And does migrant and refugee population management fall into the regular duties of u. S. Park Police Officers . Not directly but anything that falls on our jurisdiction and the National Parks and public lands that we patrol will definitely be our responsibility. But our concern is our staffing level right now, over the last, for instance, over the last year we had 511 officers sworn total since last june. Over that time, today we fired 68 officers. Weve only yielded 15 total because of our attrition and our retention problem. So to that end, to answer your question, we have like us to before two officers usually patrolling the area. To add 2000 migrants in a camp is going to definitely strained our operations. Do you think nonmigrants who wish to visit floyd bennet field, do you think that number will be diminished once the migrant population enters . I really dont know if that will happen or not, sir. I do know there is a a youth Sports Complex nearby. I do know theres a child petting zoo and some other its a playground. I know they do hate rights for children in that area. We are concerned about that. Finally, if the Biden Administrations secures our open southern border to reduce the number of migrants flooding communities across the country, including new york city, at a record pace, will it help alleviate some of the Law Enforcement issues facing the nypd and park police . I would agree that the homeless problem in general it was reduced in our parks would definitely help out the Law Enforcement situation. Real quick, mr. Chair. We also have northern border. Last year, we had an incident up north where five migrants came over here. We dont know where they, where they are. They came across a northern lake, and the reason we were able to apprehend them because our customs and Border Protection were ordered to and process in offices, in process the illegals coming across the southern border. And i yield back. The time of the gentleman has expired. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from new york, you are recognized for five minutes per thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member. Mr. Mr. Chairman, words matte. Words can be used to bring about solutions to complicated problems or words could be used to throw gasoline on a fire to promote hate, violence, and haptic. So its important that we distinguish habit rhetoric for the purpose from facts to me give you some of the facts. Five, according to the conservative leaning Cato Institute, 99 of fentanyl in the u. S. Is smuggled in into the United States by some of our own citizens. Thats the Cato Institute saying, not me, not you. An entity that you rely on for facts. Fact, although the rest been a very low unemployment rate, perhaps the lowest in 60 years, 90,000 new yorkers have left the labor forest since the pandemic began. Fact, the 60,000 thet estate in new york city, out of the 60,000, 20,000 our children. And that of the remaining ones, of the remaining 40,000, 15,000 are venezuelans that have already benefited from extended tps and are now able to work. So what we have is 25,000 people, and by the way, the children, they bring in federal lot dollars through schools, through title i which we must understand what it is, and title iii. Although as we speak right now, the other side of the aisle is trying to get title i by 80 . Fact, a total of 25,000 of thousand of the migrants left are the ones that were dealing with. Fact, in 1907, 1907, over 1. 25 Million People came through new york city through ellis island. Exactly when the city had a smaller infrastructure and a much smaller safety net. Almost 1. 3 Million People came, emigrants immigrants came through ellis island in 1907 right to new york city, and yet we were able to handle that. So these are the facts. The last fact that it want to point out is back in 1986 that a very prominent leader from your party passed amnesty. His name was ronald reagan. Not president carter, not president kennedy, not president obama. Ronald reagan. Of those are the facts, so les not engage in rhetoric that is volatile, that will lead to violence or will pay an us against each other. I want to ask a question to the two representatives from new york at the state and local level. Because this is personal to me. I came to the United States back in 1964 with my family on a visitor visa. Overstate my visa, how to get my green card later on. When i was here with no papers. What would you have done with me as a nineyearold . What you have sent me to Rikers Island . Would you have sent me under a bridge . Where would you have placed me and my family . Back in the 1960s. If that was a case today. I am a member of congress were never obviously, i have seen any bloody incident from the migrants. 100,000 of them, and you cant point out one really reprehensible act of violence. You are saying they are taxing the Police Department. You grab out 100,000 people anywhere and you are going to have dozens of felonies anywhere, on park avenue, nu in the city of new york. So what would you have, back then what would your done with me and my family back in 1964 when i came in without any papers . And now im in the of congress writer walking the halls of congress with all of these folks here, having the same boat that they have vote and having impact on the future of this nation. You your city councilwoman, ye in a silly woman. I served 14 years in newark state assembly. Would you have done with me back in 1964 . I would have protected you just like i want to predict all the came in as families prior to this influx of migrants who are now skipping the line while people like you were still waiting. People like your family who went to the proper process, got the green card now and you, you apply for citizenship and you get citizenship. It may have taken two years, however, the way to protect the speed is give them a safe environment where they can be safe with her families. Women that have walked thousands of miles to get to the border. Believe me, they will never be able, be late to work. They will not miss the days work because they got the sniffle. He walked 2000 miles with three of your kids, youre going to be a forest for our economy. We should give you the opportunity to bring us back. Assemblywoman. Thank you, congressman. The gentlemans time has expired. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Briefly answer. Thank you for sharing. I, too, am an immigrant. I must state this year that go back to what you just dated, i am certainly would not put any family in the area isolated, no transit whatsoever and have been in a flood zone for further implications down the road. Where would you put them . Where would you put in . Will wipe within . Thisll be a a conversation that we have to have speeded where will you put them right now today . Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thats your opinion. The time of the gentleman has expired. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from oregon, mr. Bench, you are recognized for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chair and think the witnesses for being here. Politically sensitive nature of this issue has been well discussed. Im curious, i want to make it clear, but im curious in the folks from new york to mecca counselors, if you are happy that were having this hearing today here at the congressional level. Are you happy to be a today sharing your constituents of course but with the rest of america the need to discuss this issue . Imap so happy to be a today to discuss this issue because it really is a federal issue. This migrant crisis that were facing in new york city should never be taken care of by the locality. Department of Homeless Service is not prepared to get services to over 120,000 migrants. And when you take speed is i will come back to you. Your thoughts. You are happy to be a today . Absently happy, but msa for the record i am very highly insulted that they would look at floyd bennet field, our National Park that we treasure in the Southeast Side of brooklyn indie but not as good as yellowstone. This is an insult on our community, and using this platform on our Natural Resources to counter coh each other is insulting. You are happy to be a today . Yes, i am. Thank you for having me. If new york, its one of the most wealthy communities, cities, metropolises in our country, is this a challenge to find places to put these folks. What does that mean about the rest of the cities across the United States . What are they doing with the thousands upon thousands of people to come in each day . I dont want to ask you to hazard a guess, but this is not just new yorks problem were facing but most surely is one of the lungs before this committee and a must i resent my colleagues colleagues from across our suggesting that we manufactured this hearing today, thats about fabricated and phony some sort of opportunity to talk but one of the greatest problems that are nation of faces. One of the things we say back on is if youre in a hole, stop digging. That means youve got to address the flow of thousands, millions of people across the border first. We heard today not one person i dont think im the subset of talked about the need to address Border Security first. Not one. A lot of talk about how we need a comprehensive system, a lot of talk about how im feeling we republicans are but the truth of the matter is we have to address the border first. Because otherwise why, what we have to build upon when it comes to creating a comprehensive system . You folks in new york city are the, one of the best bully pulpits to talk about the challenge that you are communities face your you at this point, its a win in community pesticide a National Park is a place to go and the best it brings us in this query to talk about it. Youve been asked repeatedly is are some of the thing to do. If the answer is no, i agree, thats what all the Little Community is are saying. The answer is no, we are out of space to put these thousands, these millions of people we do not hear that from the folks on the other side of the aisle. It amazes me because what we need to do is get control of the border. Either you can talk about, please, ms. Ariola do i have why . Do need to control the border first so we can talk about comprehensive solution second . Absolutely. Would you be supportive of as focusing on ways of addressing a asylum . As we all know about one out of ten persons granted asylum are entitled to it. One out of ten and other nine disappear. So the point of a a is we are allowing in 90 more people than we should under the guise of asylum. We need to address it. We deduct your people about that. Instead we get a tax upon republicans for having the audacity to suggest that we should stop people at the border. But theres no other solution when theres no place of indigo even in a place as wealthy as new york city. Thats why im happy for this hearing today. Ms. Williams, you are cut off a number of times. You have 28 seconds to add what you want to say. [inaudible] mike mike. Sorry. I dont have a solution as to where to put them, but im sure im very sure if we had the conversation from the bottom up are the top come down, including the state, the city and the federal, we make it to some other solution. So when you dont give me an opportunity to answer correctly, i mean, then walk off, it really tells me that you are not here based on issue, against using our National Park which seems its just an old airport monday, thats insulting to me and to the people that i represent in the Southeast Side of brooklyn. Thank you for your testimony. Yield back. The time of the gentleman has expired. The chair now recognizes the gentlelady from new mexico mr. Legere fernandez. You are recognized for five minutes. Thank you so much mr. Chair and thank you witnesses. Ive been following this for my office. We are for four days, just s away from a Government Shutdown. The question on americas minds is will Congress Passed legislation so that we can continue paying our federal employees and all those who rely on them from the head start classes for my district to the head start classes in new york. But thats not why were called here today. Instead, we are having a hearing with lots of posters to talk about an issue that once again is on congresses plate, because we have refused to address and pass Immigration Reform, to fix a broken system. Ms. Acer, thank you. Thank you for your recommendations to better serve the migrants seeking asylum which is presently the law of the land, is that correct . Yes, u. S. Law allows people at ports of entry interese United States to seek asylum. So we have a law that needs to be addressed and we have an issue and a migrant issue that needs to be addressed. But lets talk about whats really happening. How would a Government Shutdown impact the ability of federal, state, local agencies and nonprofits to provide shelter and humanitarian aid to these migrants . Take us out of it and say what would a shutdown due to the ability of these wonderful humanitarians, people who want to serve those who need shelter because they remember that proverb. A shutdown could affect it, affect humanity and organizatios that quite a few ways. The Biden Administration really should take steps to minimize that. The last thing we want to see our humanitarian organizations come faithbased groups and others were working on the front lines not be reimbursed or reimbursed promptly for the very important critical assistance they are providing, which is essential to u. S. Communities. Its also essential by the way to customs and Border Protection. Thank you so very much because if we do not actually provide the Biden Administration with the funds because we shot the federal government down, thd to be across our country, is that correct . Its just not in new york. Its across the country where we can see this. Theres risk across the country and in addition i just want to emphasize again the devastating impact this will have on the ability to resolve asylum claims by adding immeasurably to the Immigration Court backlog and delaying those cases for years. People we represent refugees seeking asylum in this country, i waited years to get the case is resolved. Theres so much congress can do to really make sure the Immigration Courts are funded properly so the cases move much more quickly and fairly. Thank you. When we have a budget that is proposed that would cut significantly from these cases what we are actually doing is making this problem worse rather than solving it so that we could then have some political theater around it. I want to do a bit to mr. Spencer. In a recent letter, secretary haaland a letter written by my republican colleagues, they noted in this is pitiful language and i completely agree with republicans on that, that National Parks are important for americans, i quote, to experience wonder, to recreate, and find joy, or to simply learn more about the great history of our nation. Close to quote. Im very concerned because with the impending shutdown but not just the impending shutdown but with the proposed cuts in appropriations, republicans are stealing americans joy. Republicans are going to be stealing americans joy in our part. But mr. Spencer, theres a proposed cut in the appropriations of 500 million to the National Park service. Thats going to absolutely cut park officers and rangers with a 500 million cut that would impact the number of rangers and Police Officers. What would that do to morale, and your ability to protect this places of awe . Thank you for the question congresswoman. As far as we see it from my level, from the members of the boots on the graph for the u. S. Park police, weve been getting with this for decades. So our funding has been cut across both sides of the aisle. I dont know where the money is going but it certainly doesnt make it down out to the u. K police to the National Park service. So thats the best i can answer for that. We had cats across the board. We cant even come we dont have the money to hire more officers this next fiscal year, and that was addressed conversation i had with our chief of police. So we need more funding to make sure we can adequately protect the parks in the people who attend them. And with that, mr. Chairman, my time is up and i yield back. Hank is a very much. The chair now recognizes the gentlelady from new york youre recognized for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I want to thank you for coming to see floyd bennet field unlike our colleagues from rhode island the once did a spirit park in new york city, which is as you said ms. Williams very insulting that you would say its okay to have a migrant in cabin in the middle of brooklyn because he feels a park is not as nice a summary of the National Parks in the country we invited to come visit as well so he can learn something. I would like to for start by saying think its disappointing that the department of interior at the National Park service refused to come to answer questions. I wonder why the refused to come here. Maybe its because they do something wrong and i think were going to get to the bottom of that. I think the chairman for doing this. I want to start by saying in response to my call from new york who said that everything is great in new york, theres no problems and unlike the mayor who say that is destroying new york, and he said well, has anyone gotten injured . You know what . They were on a tour at roosevelt hotel, that shelter remember that cut a lot of media coverage. Coverage. Right after they left that somebody got stabbed in the hotel. It was a migrant stabbed another migrant, and that is, dozens of arrested and taken place at that hotel already for us all. If that neither lisa unlicensed drivers without plates slamming into vehicles, totaling peoples cars in the community. In brooklyn there was a dui, a bust that led up a migrant that led to a sergeant, and nypd sergeant finger being bitten off. We have seen, with multiple crimes, one venezuelan migrant actually 14 times in two months. Thats very much a record for new york. In jew upstate new york shelters the individuals arrested for rape and forcing the county by the way to say theyre not when its have been migrant and forcing the government to should go somewhere else. So mr. Spencer my question on Public Safety is to you first, being that you represent the u. S. Park police. The Agency Concerned about Public Safety . Thank you for the question congresswoman. Before entered thank you for your continued support with the u. S. Park police fop. Is a Agency Concerned with the migrant situation that is proposed for floyd bennet field . Yes, they are. And again thats because of our staff, our Staffing Levels right now. We dont have staffing or the resources to handle 2000 migrants put into a tent on a property right now. You feel its a bad idea for this impairment to be placed at floyd bennet . It certainly is going to make our Law Enforcement duties much more difficult. Councilwoman ariola, in your testimony, and also assemblywoman williams which a happier bolter because its a bipartisan effort here that you want to stop this happening in your community. So i applaud, its that republican versus democrat. It is two people come together for the betterment of the community. So what of want to say is a state Environmental Quality review act also have Nepa National Environmental Policy act. Those are violated, right . They did not do anything to address any Environmental Impact. So interesting because some of my colleagues from new york city when to shut everything down because we dont follow nepa. Now all of a sudden want to see nepa be completely bypassed pic of no regard for the private all of a sudden. Can you comment on that . I think its a very insulting to not follow nepa regulation come to not even have a public hearing for community input. And this of our citizens are forced to voice their concerns for the safety and our environment, and for everyone that utilize floyd bennet field. I will remind you, it is a National Park. Whether you want to convert to yellowstone or a plain old airport field. I ask you, come out, take you around. You will see the phenomenal things that happen at floyd bennet field, our National Park. Thank you. Councilwoman ariola would you like to add following the law . We recently asked for mps to extend a soccer field at fort tilden which is on my side of the queens district. We were flatly denied access and i believe that you do have an email from the mps stating why because it would not conform with what is regularly at that location. And that it could, it could impede other activities. Could impede protect property, protected species and all that. All of this has been negated at floyd bennet field. No nepa, no eis. An expedited ea without any can reach. Thank you. I want to make a point to say surely come comer appreciak into the fact that no Environmental Impact statement, no Environmental Assessment. The claimants emerges if we get the president says nothing is going on at the border, no emergency d. C. , so how did he get away with this and thats what the committee has to be tasked to look into. Thank you. I yield back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from california mr. Lamalfa youre recognized provider. Thank you, mr. Chairman. What committee are we in, mr. Chairman. The house Natural Resources committee. That that have jurisdiction over the National Park system . Has jurisdiction over all the department of interior and National Parks. Todays hearing about the National Parks and this case in new york are, is an appropriate venue for this conversation . We have a duty to have or set of a National Parks. Their 435 minutes of the house with many, many committees meeting some of the work of fiscal issues such as funding the government today. Today . Likely. So it is possible to walk and chew gum at the same time on many issues in the u. S. Congress. All right, good. And were in an appropriate place to talk about these issues of the parks in new york and the overwhelming effect is is going out upon them, and we sympathize and we thank those folks here today for traveling and being with us on this. I will just type in a couple questions here for assemblywoman williams and councilwoman ariola. It maintains committee gardens and parks in the city. In 2019 the project published a study which absurd increase in park in general can space in east harlem neighborhood of new york resulted in over 200 you were felonies committed for your comfort reduction of over 50 . With the lease signed by the department of interior a substantial amount of recreation space will be taken away. So, can you speak to the fact that housing these Illegal Immigrants on floyd bennet field will have on the local area and the loss of recreation and increase crime possibilities come not only from the neighborhood having the less park, when we seem the crime of the neighborhood itself go down, but the crime that will be generated from these camps. Yes, thank you. We have a number of groups that go to floyd bennet field regularly. We have jamaica bay Rockaway Park conservancy which was made to post on the public arts festival. They also have a new project that weve all been working with, with the community and for outreach for the betterment of floyd bennet field. There are bird clubs, people of fish, people who kayak, people of archery there. Theres aviator sports into. There are speed im sorry but please focus on the crime aspect of what you would expect. Sure. If you have connect Police Officers from nps find any given, any given tour, and a depleted Police Forest from the 63 and the 100th precinct who would have oversight there, and absolutely it would be a crime issue. Because of the camp itself as well as now less park space that has been instrumental in loving crime neighborhood as statistically shown, right . Right. Because it it would be upwards of 2000 7500 People Living on that park space. That really is a community. That security that deserves its own precinct, school board and Fire Department. We wouldnt have that. Thank you very much. [inaudible] i did it again. So again we are seeing that floyd bennet field is unsafe and is suitable for anyone to live there to talk about the kuiper i think mr. Spencer shared the burden that this will have on his forest having just to officers of their come we of the year 2000 plus single migrant men. I dont have, i cant tell the future. I dont have a crystal ball in front of me to say what kind is a blank committed from what is not going to be committed but we have to be prepared. Thank you. Appreciate that. Mr. Spencer, would you weigh in on that please . What im wondering is has into your department of justice, homeland security, have offered any kind of help to pay for the employees that its going to take to do this job . If indeed you could get more than two. Thank you for the question congressman. No. From everything i know we have not been given any funding to supplement outside of normal operations on floyd bennet field. Has the park please come what is interface between the and new york Police Departments for data with the crime that is expected . I do know that nypd is also severely understaffed just as we are. They do work hand in hand with us on Law Enforcement functions. But primarily we are the servicing Law Enforcement agency for floyd bennet field. So its a real recipe for disaster, isnt it . Its going to overwhelm us. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I yield back. The time of the gentleman has expired. The chair now recognizes the jumping from one can come mr. Rosendale, you are recognized. Thank you, mr. Chairman and Ranking Member grijalva for holding the hearing today. President bidens harmful border agenda has been filled by states far from the border nearly since the day he took office. Democrat leaders in sanctuary cities enacted President Bidens leftist immigration policies and the crisis quickly spilled into rural states hundreds of miles away. President bidens secretary mayorkas and as Administration Officials were serious about controlling emigration and securing our border, we would not have this hearing today about new york state and the National Park service. Our countries National Parks are some of the greatest treasures. To allow Illegal Immigrants to set up cantonese parks and hamper Everyday Americans rights to visit and enjoy these parks is just another example of biden and his cabinet putting their leftist agenda above indeed of americans. Just the other week it was announced that 100 100 migre going to settle in billings, montana. What concerns me the most about this is that they are likely just the beginning of a process that will see many different states forced to accept these Illegal Immigrants and refugees. Where will the rest of the 100,000 afghan refugees go . I can assure you they will not be sent to sanctuary cities. Montana has many great historic National Parks. The last thing we need is the federal government coming in and telling us that the bedrock of our tourism and a significant factor in our economy will now be used against its intended purpose. And instead, for housing Illegal Immigrants. I hope this committee can help shine some light on this issue and we can prevent the administration from trying similar tactics in states such as mine. Ms. Ariola, how long is a department of interior proposing to housing these Illegal Immigrants in on floyd bennet field . The current basis for when your internet has an option to extend for two. Two additionally are so total of three or a total speed is another year. One additional year. Okay, okay. So the general public and the american taxpayers are only authorized to stay in floyd bennet field for a maximum of 14 days, consecutive days. Yet, interior want to violate their very own rules and basically grant an unlimited duration of state to the Illegal Immigrants . That would be correct. You mention in her testimony that a Million People a year enjoy floyd bennet field. What kind of Impact Housing these Illegal Immigrants have on the local economy, community safety, and areas surrounding the National Park . What weve seen in areas where there have been asylumseekers and Illegal Immigrants, we have seen crime take up. Weve seen what was said. There have been Violent Crimes. Their event shoplifting has uptick there we seen a lot of different crimes, rate, muggings, assaults, robberies, burglaries. These are all uptick since weve had this, this vast migration of Illegal Immigrants coming into our do you think that type of activity is conducive to promoting tourism and Economic Development in your area . You cant have tourism when all the hotels are full of migrants. Mr. Spence i would like to ask you a question or i do Law Enforcement background. If you had 2000 military age men that are contained in an area like that without task we performances of the basic have idle hands, as my father used to call it, what is a likelihood for more criminal elements to take place crimes to take place . I appreciate the question, congressman. We are definitely concerned. The fact that that premise is going to be put directly close to where this going to be a lot of children is one of my primary concerns for the officers i represent. We really like a us that we ae already so shortstaffed that its going to be difficult to police 2000 extra people that takes way from our daytoday operations. Its not even just the concerns that putting 2000 men on floyd bennet field, its also the concerns that we have for the safety as well. Because if something happens to one of them, ems typically in that area of new york city, they know how to get the floyd bennet field but theres a specific everywhere one of these migrants are injured, they may not speak english, they could get hurt. One of our officers has to break away and escort them to that location just to make sure they can be found. So that leaves one officer available during that time. Very, very susceptible to having something tragic happen. Very good. Thank you so much. I just much time has expired. I would yield back. Thank you. The chair now recognizes the gentleman, or gentlelady from virginia. You are recognized for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chair added just want to start by thanking eyewitnesses who took time to be with us today when we had other witnesses not show up. I think it says a lot about how much you care about this issue, so thank you very much. It also says a lot about the people who did not show up to speak to this issue. The numbers are staggering and dont think i need to repeat some of headlines and words of my colleagues are human trafficking, drug trafficking, crime, the number of Illegal Immigrants crossing the border from 6 million. Its the size of the population of denmark or singapore. Its really since Biden Took Office he think about that, so im a person the likes to think of the problem and take ten steps back. How can we prevent this problem . You all have presented so eloquently and been great advocates for your National Park. But this is a problem in the park. What can we do to prevent the problem . I think step when it would be great if we could just acknowledge that there is a problem at the border. Theres a crisis of the border. Theres something that needs to be done at the border. I went to the border twice to represent virginias second Congressional District so im not a border state but we are all becoming border states. But just to see in real life and talk to those ranchers and talk to those homeowners and talk to the Small Business can talk to Border Patrol, Law Enforcement. The stories were shocking. And to listen how few of them there were, the amount the problems they deal with on a daily basis. I can understand why our Current Administration doesnt even acknowledge that there is a problem at the border. Now were talking about how its bled into place of icon east coast like virginia, like new york, like floyd bennet field costing 12 billion over the next three years, 100,000 migrants come to mute city since the spring of 22. You talk about the 2000 migrants in some of the security concerns and i just, i want to know what the infrastructure and quality of life looks like i cant imagine its real good there. Its like a tent city im imagining. I havent seen it but what are these children doing . What of the adults doing during the day . What is a plan of action . Is there one . What are we doing with these people . Thank you, congresswoman. Im sorry, i dont follow your question. Are you asking about with the local community does there on a daytoday basis . What to the people there do . Its a Recreational Area so theres nature trails. Theres birdwatching areas, their speeches. And immigrant specific, i suspect the emigrant specifically . They are going to be part of that. It could be able to come and go as they please. There is going to be how i dont know exactly know what the facility is going to look like, from what i hear its going to be a tent and thats what its described in the lease. They are going to be able to come and go as they please. Theyre going to be intermingling with the local community and being able to engage the park just like anyone else would. I can imagine everything is going to go super smoothly. You talk about some of the great issues and again security issues. What will happen if theres an arrest or multiple arrests . Is her place were going to house them, have a place we hold arrested migrants over other arrested people in your city . What are the plans for that . So thats part of what kind of baffled me with this Lease Agreement. As a stated before, we really were not consulted on the Operational Plan as for farw enforcement aspect of it goes. From every time at a special event or some type of incident outside the normal daytoday operations, our agency comes up with an Operational Plan, and ops plan to make sure that special event or First Amendment activity whatever it may be is handled appropriately. Usually that canceling this often offices that are other day off to bring in extra officers to handle that kind of event. There has been no plan in place and what were going to do with this. Its frustrating to hear you speak about your Recruitment Retention and the quality of work that your officers, so please thank them for. I know theyre doing heavy lifts right now. Is the National Park service when you what else addressing any of the infrastructure problems to prepare for the migrant shelters at floyd bennet field, that we know. I am unaware of any. Will the migrant camp hurt or help the quality of the park and the services that are currently offered to visitors . Likewise, we talked about the migrant camp impact on National Parks ecosystem. I can imagine does not can be a big impact on that as well. It will be absolutely major impact on the parks ecosystem. Thank thank you very muc. I yield back. Gentleladys time spectra undulates eyewitnesses have been sitting at the table for a long time, and speaking of the sosa floyd bennet field, under declare a fiveminute recess so that you can take a break and well plan to start the probably in five minutes. [inaudible conversations]