Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa has publicly called on President Biden to address the ongoing border security issues, particularly highlighting a recent incident in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Military families, who were looking forward to attending the historic 124th Army-Navy Game, were informed their hotel bookings were canceled. These hotels, Ernst notes, are now accommodating migrants, a situation she directly attributes to the Biden Administration’s policies.
In a strongly worded letter, Ernst criticized the administration for its handling of the border, which she believes has resulted in nearly eight million undocumented immigrants entering the United States. This influx, according to Ernst, has led to veterans and their families, eager to celebrate the longstanding military tradition, being deprived of their accommodations.
Massachusetts, which operates under a “right to shelter” mandate, has been securing housing for migrants and homeless families, a move that Ernst finds deeply troubling when it comes at the expense of military families. Ernst expressed that veterans who have made financial sacrifices to attend the Army-Navy game should not be displaced due to border mismanagement.
Mark Mansbach, who has spent two decades facilitating hotel arrangements for military families during the Army-Navy Game, shared that an unprecedented 60 rooms across various hotels were canceled. He has since been aiding 40 to 50 affected families by suggesting alternatives like Boston, despite the increased expense.
Senator Ernst’s letter emphasized the significance of the Army-Navy Game not just as a sporting event, but as a tribute to America’s servicemembers and veterans, and a crucial recruitment tool for the armed forces. The game, set to occur on December 9 at Gillette Stadium, is a momentous occasion for honoring the commitment and sacrifices of the military community.
The senator’s appeal comes amidst a wider conversation among GOP lawmakers who are advocating for stricter asylum seeker standards at the southern border. This debate is tied to President Biden’s $106 billion national security funding request, which includes aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as provisions for expedited asylum processing at the southern border. Democrats, as of now, appear uninterested in policy revisions, despite Republican efforts to negotiate.