(NewsNation) — The Federal Aviation Administration has not performed a detailed audit into the practice of using airports to house migrants.
During a Congressional hearing, FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker responded to questions regarding the use of airports to house migrants, noting that he has not deeply investigated the issue.
Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., pushed Whitaker on a statement that only one airport had been approved for housing migrants.
“To my knowledge, there was only one application,” Whitaker said. “To my understanding, applications are only involved if it’s behind security.”
Whitaker noted the FAA doesn’t have authority over what airports do with privately owned property outside of secure areas.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., also pushed Whitaker on the issue, stating he felt it was an inappropriate use.
“Safety is our number one issue, it was never meant for housing,” he said of the airport in his state.
Van Drew asked Whitaker to commit to drill down on the issue with details about how many airports are being used as housing for undocumented people.
“We don’t own the airports,” Whitaker reiterated.
Van Drew also asked Whitaker to issue a policy from the FAA regarding the use of airports for migrant housing.
NewsNation reached out to the FAA for clarity on the agency’s policies and is waiting for a response.