In a concerning turn of events, a Republican lawmaker from Michigan, state Rep. Matt Maddock, has come under scrutiny after posting false claims about "illegal invaders" at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Maddock's controversial statement was quickly debunked, revealing that the buses he referred to were actually transporting college basketball players arriving for the NCAA Tournament.

On Wednesday night, Maddock took to X to share two photos - one of an airplane on the tarmac and another showing a row of buses. In his post, he wrote, "Happening right now. Three buses just loaded up with illegal invaders at Detroit Metro. Anyone have any idea where they're headed with their police escort?"

However, a spokesperson for the Wayne County Airport Authority promptly refuted Maddock's claims, clarifying that the buses were, in fact, intended for the college athletes participating in the NCAA Tournament. In addition, users on X added context to the situation, including tweets from a local reporter and the Gonzaga men's basketball team, who had landed in Detroit that evening.

Despite the evidence disputing his initial statement, Maddock doubled down on his stance, asserting that "100,000's of illegals are pouring into our country. We know it's happening in Michigan." He also criticized Michigan's governor for offering financial support to help house refugees and new arrivals in the state.

Furthermore, in his interactions with X users, Maddock resorted to name-calling and referred to them as "kommie." This behavior has raised concerns about the appropriateness of his conduct as an elected official.

While Maddock aligns himself with former President Donald Trump and shares an outspoken criticism of federal immigration policies, his refusal to acknowledge the truth is worrying. When contacted by The Associated Press, Maddock remained adamant, stating, "I haven't heard a good answer yet. I took a tip and asked because this is happening in many places and it is well documented."

This incident highlights the contentious nature of the immigration debate in the United States, where misinformation and false claims can easily stoke fears and create unnecessary division. As lawmakers, it is crucial that officials prioritize accuracy and fact-checking in their public statements to ensure an informed and cohesive society.