The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has responded to “false” claims that money being spent on illegal migrants should be spent on disaster relief funds in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
This week, Republicans, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Donald Trump Jr., took issue with $640 million of FEMA funding allocated for assisting migrants after Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas‘ said that FEMA was “meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have,” while adding that the agency did not have enough funding to make it through another hurricane this season.
“This is easy,” Texas Governor Greg Abbot posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Mayorkas and FEMA — immediately stop spending money on illegal immigration resettlement and redirect those funds to areas hit by the hurricane. Put Americans first.”
Donald Trump Jr, son of Republican nominee Donald Trump, posted: “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.”
The government agency has set up a page to address these circulating rumors regarding its response to Hurricane Helene, which hit numerous East Coast states at the end of September, killing at least 120 people.
Addressing claims that FEMA does not have enough money to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the page reads: “FEMA has enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. If you were affected by Helene, do not hesitate to apply for disaster assistance as there is a variety of help available for different needs.”
Congress recently granted $20 billion for the agency’s disaster relief fund as part of a short-term government spending bill to fund the government through December 20.
Men pass a storm-damaged house in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 30, 2024, in Old Fort, North Carolina. FEMA has addressed claims that disaster funds had been diverted to help migrants.
Sean Rayford/GETTY
Replying to the rumor that funding for FEMA disaster response had been “diverted to support international efforts or border related issues,” the government agency said on its specially dedicated fact check page: “This is false. No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is 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.”
Some X users, including Texas Representative Dan Crenshaw, accused FEMA of diverting funds for disaster relief to the Shelter and Services Program, which provides money for migrant services.
“Maybe, just maybe, the Biden-Harris Administration should stop diverting FEMA funds—meant to help AMERICANS during disaster recovery—to facilitate mass-paroling illegal migrants into the country,” Crenshaw posted on X.
A Department for Homeland Security spokesperson told Newsweek: “These claims are completely false. As Secretary Mayorkas said, FEMA has the necessary resources to meet the immediate needs associated with Hurricane Helene and other disasters.”
“The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a completely separate, appropriated grant program that was authorized and funded by Congress and is not associated in any way with FEMA’s disaster-related authorities or funding streams.”
Newsweek has reached out to Crenshaw via email for comment outside of normal working hours.
The SSP provides funding to nonfederal agencies to spend on humanitarian services for non-U.S. citizens. For the 2024 fiscal year, which came to an end on Monday, $640 million was made available. This was a significant increase from the 2023 fiscal year, when $363 million was allocated. Altogether, more than $1 billion has been spent on noncitizen services over the past two years.
FEMA also addressed rumors that it has asked for cash donations from members of the public and that it has been turning away volunteers and confiscating donations to the post-disaster effort.
“FEMA does not ask for or generally accept any cash donations or volunteers for disaster response,” the agency clarified, saying that anyone approached by a someone claiming to represent FEMA and asking for donations is likely to be a scammer.
It said that rumors regarding “turning away donations, stopping trucks or vehicles with donations, confiscating and seizing supplies often spread after a disaster” are all false.
“FEMA does not take donations and/or food from survivors or voluntary organizations,” the agency said. “Donations of food, water, or other goods are handled by voluntary agencies who specialize in storing, sorting, cleaning, and distributing donated items.”
