Feds announce they're out of funds for hurricane response following $640M spent on migrant assistance.
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas sparked significant backlash on Wednesday when he informed reporters that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) lacks sufficient funds to support Americans for the remainder of the Atlantic hurricane season. This situation arises after his department has utilized its emergency resources this year to manage the ongoing migrant crisis.
During a press briefing aboard Air Force One, while en route to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in South and North Carolina, Mayorkas stated, "We are addressing immediate needs with the available funds." He further noted the anticipation of another hurricane, emphasizing, "FEMA does not have the funds to navigate through the season and the imminent challenges ahead."
Critics have highlighted that the Department of Homeland Security has designated $640.9 million this year in funds managed by FEMA to support state and local governments dealing with the surge of asylum seekers.
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott expressed his views on social media, urging Secretary Mayorkas and FEMA to cease expenditures related to illegal immigration resettlement and to reallocate those resources to assist regions affected by the hurricane. He emphasized the need to prioritize American citizens. Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, echoed this sentiment in agreement.
Abbott has emerged as a prominent critic of Mayorkas regarding the mass parole of asylum seekers into the United States, a policy shift that followed President Biden's rejection of former President Trump's "Remain in Mexico" initiative. In response, the governor has been transporting migrants to Democrat-led areas, including New York City, which has resulted in significant local budgetary constraints to accommodate these individuals.
Over the past two years, FEMA-administered programs have committed more than $1.4 billion to assist non-federal entities managing the influx of migrants. The Department of Homeland Security reported that last year, it allocated $780 million to address the migrant crisis through the FEMA Shelter and Services Program and the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which resulted in at least 202 fatalities and extensive flooding from Florida to North Carolina, only $4 million has been disbursed directly to affected families and individuals, as reported by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. This amount is part of a $10 million allocation from FEMA, which provides grants of $750 for groceries to storm victims.
During an operational briefing in North Carolina, President Biden emphasized the significant financial burden of the disaster, stating that it would require billions of dollars to support the impacted communities. His remarks have drawn criticism from congressional Republicans, who are not scheduled to return to session until after the upcoming Election Day. Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) expressed his discontent, accusing the Biden-Harris administration of misallocating disaster relief funds, while Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) condemned the situation as treasonous, highlighting the plight of U.S. citizens in need of assistance.
Representative Eli Crane, a Republican from Arizona, expressed his concerns by stating that the Biden-Harris administration's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated over $1 billion towards supporting undocumented immigrants, emphasizing that this prioritization places American citizens last in line for assistance.
Tim Murtaugh, an advisor to the campaign of former President Donald Trump, further elaborated on this issue by urging individuals to consider the implications of the current funding decisions. He pointed out that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has indicated that FEMA may face financial constraints in providing aid during the upcoming hurricane season. Murtaugh highlighted the stark contrast between this potential shortfall and the substantial financial resources directed towards a new Biden-Harris initiative, which has reportedly spent $1 billion over the past two years on housing and various services for migrants. FEMA has yet to provide a response to inquiries from The Post regarding these claims.
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