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Fact Check: Did FEMA Spend Hundreds of Millions of Dollars on Illegal Immigrants This Year?

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Americans were rightly angered by the announcement by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency “[does] not have the funds” to make it through the hurricane season, particularly in light of the over $600 million it spent on “migrant services” this past fiscal year.

In fact, the Shelter and Services Program administered by FEMA in partnership with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol has spent more than $1 billion on noncitizen migrant resettlement and other services over the past two years, according to FEMA’s website.

Mayorkas told reporters Wednesday, “We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have” in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

“We are expecting another hurricane hitting,” he added. “We do not have the funds. FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season and what — what is imminent.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the solution is simple, “Mayorkas and FEMA — immediately stop spending money on illegal immigration resettlement and redirect those funds to areas hit by the hurricane. Put Americans first.”

Should the federal government be doing more for Helene victims?

Donald Trump Jr., son of the former president, responded on X, “So FEMA is almost out of money to help with Federal Emergencies (you know the FE in FEMA) because they spent almost $1,000,000,000 helping illegal immigrants over the last two years. Got it, but probably tough to explain to those not getting the help they need in GA and NC!”

Newsweek did note that the, at least, $640 million spent on migrant care makes up a fairly small part of FEMA’s overall annual budget of approximately $30 billion.

However, Florida GOP congressman and U.S. Army combat veteran Cory Mills argued the federal government’s response to the hurricane thus far has also been hampered by a lack of personnel on the ground.

Related:
Fired FEMA Worker Reveals Discrimination Against Trump Supporters Was Even Worse Than First Reported

“That’s really one of the missing pieces, which is the federal piece. Let’s go ahead and point out the obvious, which is that FEMA had utilized a large majority of the personnel who should be here taking care of this to be sent and [instead] repurposed, if you will, for immigration resettlement, when we need to be focused on Americans,” he told Fox News on Wednesday.

Mayorkas argued Thursday that the federal government’s hurricane response has been strong.

A White House reporter noted, “The sentiment, according to my colleagues on the ground, from people is that the federal government is not doing enough to help. Where are they? Where is the help? What is your message to those people?”

“I would say the following, that we are there, and we will continue to be there, and we will reach the most difficult-to-access locations. We are relentless in our efforts to ensure the safety and the security of all,” Mayorkas said.

That FEMA funds and personnel have been diverted to deal with a Biden-Harris created border crisis is unacceptable and reason enough to replace the current administration next month.

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 3,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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