Congressman Jake Ellzey's Statement on FEMA Aid

The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Mayorkas, has taken actions that make illegal immigration more attractive by reallocating funds that should be prioritized for disaster relief efforts. At a time when FEMA is warning that they do not have enough funding to cover the rest of the hurricane season, money has been funneled into programs that provide aid to noncitizen migrants.

Over $1 billion has been directed to programs like the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which have been repurposed to support illegal immigrants. With 150,000 households already relying on FEMA aid after devastating hurricanes, this is a gross misallocation of resources.

The current Administration needs to stop diverting taxpayer money to initiatives that encourage illegal immigration and instead focus on supporting the American people and their immediate needs during natural disasters.

Here is what we know:

• Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can meet immediate needs but does not have enough funds for the rest of Hurricane season.
• • Congress recently granted $20 Billion for FEMA's disaster relief fund as part of the September continuing resolution.
  • The Biden Administration has granted North Carolina additional aid in the recovery effort with a 100 percent federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures for six months.
  • 150,000 households have registered for FEMA aid.
• The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) administered by FEMA provides financial support to non-federal agencies to provide humanitarian services to "noncitizen migrants."
• • FEMA, on their website, said they have funneled at least $1 billion into the program between FY23 and FY24.
  • New York City's Department of Homeless Services has given $4,000 in grants to 150 families to help illegal immigrants settle into permanent homes.
  • The Emergency Food and Shelter Program, also under FEMA, was repurposed into a fund for Illegal immigrants. Many of these funds went to Catholic Charities on the border, totaling $13,937,331 in 2023.

• Secretary Mayorkas' response is that SSP is a separate appropriated account from disaster relief and is not associated with those funding streams.
• • On FEMA's website, they claim, "No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. FEMA's disaster response efforts and individual assistance are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts."
  • The December 2022 consolidated funding bill authorizing the split-off program for spending on migrants vaguely described the purpose as for "providing shelter and other services to families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security."

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