Press Releases

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today announced the Schools Not Shelters Act has passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. This is Rep. Molinaro’s first standalone bill to pass. Rep. Molinaro has already authored and passed over 10 measures that have passed the House as part of other bills.

Rep. Molinaro authored this bill to prevent Governor Kathy Hochul from housing migrants in SUNY college dorms or K-12 schools in Upstate New York. It was introduced after parents raised concerns against public school gymnasiums being used as shelters and after counties in NY-19, like Broome County, declared states of emergency over the potential relocation of migrants. Rep. Molinaro’s bill prohibits schools, including SUNY colleges, high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools, from being used as shelters for migrants.

Rep. Molinaro said, “As the parent of four children, I agree and share the concerns of mothers and fathers who have spoken out against housing migrants in schools. My bipartisan bill affirms two things: First, schools are places for academics, athletics, community services, and places where children like mine receive vital therapy. They are not migrant shelters. Second, we should be dealing with the migrant crisis in a compassionate way. There is nothing compassionate about bussing migrants from the southern border, to New York City, and then to Upstate New York. All to live in an area they’re unfamiliar with and in schools that are ill-equipped to serve as migrant shelters. Our children, Upstate New York residents, and the migrants seeking a better life, deserve much better.”