WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas sparked criticism Wednesday after announcing that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) lacks sufficient funds to support Americans through the remainder of the Atlantic hurricane season. This follows a significant allocation of emergency funds to address the migrant crisis.
“We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have,” Mayorkas told reporters aboard Air Force One, en route to survey the damage from Hurricane Helene in North and South Carolina. “We are expecting another hurricane to hit. We do not have the funds. FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season and what is imminent.”
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has allocated $640.9 million in FEMA-administered funds this year to assist state and local governments in managing the influx of asylum seekers. Critics argue that this spending has depleted FEMA’s ability to respond to natural disasters like hurricanes.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a frequent critic of Mayorkas, voiced his frustration on social media. “Mayorkas and FEMA — immediately stop spending money on illegal immigration resettlement and redirect those funds to areas hit by the hurricane. Put Americans first,” Abbott tweeted.
Billionaire Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter) and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, echoed Abbott’s sentiment, tweeting his agreement with the Texas governor.
DHS allocated $780 million last year for migrant-related expenses through FEMA's Shelter and Services Program and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has killed at least 202 people and caused severe flooding across the Southeast, a comparatively modest $4 million has been distributed directly to affected families and individuals, according to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Hurricane Helene’s damage is expected to cost billions, President Joe Biden said during a briefing in North Carolina on Wednesday, urging Congress to ensure adequate funding for recovery efforts. “It’s going to cost billions of dollars to deal with this storm and all the communities affected,” Biden said. “Congress has an obligation to ensure the states have the resources they need.”
Congressional Republicans, who are not scheduled to return to session until after Election Day, expressed outrage at the funding gap. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) tweeted, “FEMA spending over a billion dollars on illegals while they leave Americans stranded and without help is treasonous. U.S. citizens are dying. Pray for our country, folks.”
Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) added, “The Biden-Harris FEMA spent over $1 billion on funding illegal aliens. America LAST.”
As hurricane season continues, concerns over FEMA’s ability to support disaster-stricken communities remain high, with many calling for an immediate reallocation of funds to prioritize American citizens.
