Should Congress stop public schools from being used as emergency shelters for immigrants?

Education Immigration
Schools Not Shelters Act (H.R. 3941)
This bill has Passed the House of Representatives
Bill Summary

This bill aims to prohibit public elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and universities from providing shelter for undocumented immigrants and overrides benefits provisions within the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Schools that don’t comply would be subject to possible revocation of Federal funding which supports various programs. Sponsor: Rep. Marcus Molinaro (Republican, New York, District 19)
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Opponents say

•    "New Yorkers are working together to welcome asylum seekers and provide the necessary shelter and resources for these individuals who are simply coming to our state looking for a better life. For months, I have been urging our federal leaders to provide needed flexibility and additional support for New York as we handle unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers arriving in our state. I will continue working hand-in-hand with leaders from all levels of government to coordinate our statewide response and secure the resources we need to support these new arrivals." Source: Govenor Kate Hochel (New York, Democrat)


•    "They’re targeting migrants — many of them asylum seekers — who come to this country, who risk their lives — and to our cities — seeking safety and stability They’re targeting migrants trafficked by GOP governors as a political stunt. This resolution is part of the same stunt, designed to sell fear and hatred — to make prime-time slot pieces on Fox News. It’s dangerous for immigrants like me and the community I represent." Source: Rep. Jesus Garcia (Democrat, Illinois, District 3)


•    "If my colleagues want to keep students safe, then let’s focus our time on what is actually killing them, and that’s guns. Parents, teachers and students are begging us to take meaningful action, but unfortunately, we haven’t made any progress on this subject." Source: Rep. Bobby Scott (Democrat, Virginia, District 3)


•    "Republicans on this committee want to punish schools only if they’re helping migrants. The resolution last week and the legislation before us today has been only about opposing support for the migrant community."

Source: Rep. Mark Takano (Democrat, California, District 39)

Proponents say

•    "I’m fighting to stop Governor Hochul from using schools and colleges as shelters for migrants. Upstate New York taxpayers pay thousands of dollars to support our public education system. SUNY college students pay thousands of dollars for room and board. Our schools are not shelters." Source: Rep. Marcus Molinaro (Republican, New York District 19)


•    "Just last week, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle repeatedly justified the housing of illegal immigrants in public schools, comparing it to the response to natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires. I couldn’t agree more, the President’s border policies are a disaster, though man-made." Source: Rep. Brandon Williams (Republican, New York, District 22)


•    "Using school facilities as shelter for illegal aliens instead of as schools, as they were intended, creates a host of issues ranging from safety hazards for young children to a freefall of security issues as a result of not providing the adequate accommodations or security screening". Source: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican, Iowa, District 1)


•    "You can’t house migrants on any school property if you want your federal funding. Schoolchildren are at risk of losing precious resources — or worse, at risk of physically being put in harm’s way — if we do not pass this bill." Source: Rep. Virginia Foxx (Republican, North Carolina, District 5)

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