In a recent development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has decided to freeze nearly $10 billion in disaster aid. This decision comes as FEMA reviews two programs that could potentially assist undocumented migrants, as per documents obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News.
Programs Under Review
The frozen programs in question offer funding to nongovernmental organizations for disaster recovery and short-term housing. One of the programs holds $8.5 billion in approved but unspent aid for disaster recovery, while the other contains $1.3 billion designated for short-term housing.
Scrutiny Across All Programs
FEMA’s internal documents reveal that all 56 agency programs are currently under scrutiny to determine their beneficiaries. The focus is on ensuring that the aid reaches nonprofits or government agencies that assist undocumented migrants. These programs collectively allocate tens of billions of dollars in disaster aid. While some programs have been given the green light to continue operations, others are still undergoing thorough review by FEMA or the Department of Homeland Security.
Approval Process
The documents, drafted on March 20 by FEMA’s acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton and subsequently approved by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, shed light on the approval status of various disaster aid programs. Most programs, including those providing funds to states for recovery and mitigation, have been cleared by FEMA for compliance with President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
