By Casey Harper (The Center Square)
The Biden-Harris administration has come under fire this week following comments made by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the lack of funds available for the remainder of the hurricane season by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
These remarks sparked backlash from Republican lawmakers, Elon Musk, and former President Donald Trump, as FEMA has reportedly spent hundreds of millions of dollars on resettling migrants in the U.S. since President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris assumed office.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., criticized the administration, stating, “The Biden-Harris Administration’s self-inflicted border crisis has wasted American taxpayer dollars on services for illegal immigrants and is now struggling to help Americans suffering in the wake of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene.”
Under the Biden-Harris administration, FEMA has been primarily focused on assisting the influx of over 14 million migrants settling in the U.S.
Earlier this year, FEMA announced $640 million in new funding to aid migrants, with $300 million allocated for direct assistance to immigrants and $340 million for cities via grants to support migrants. This funding is part of a broader FEMA initiative to facilitate the resettlement of migrants in the U.S. during the current administration.
Mayorkas acknowledged the strain on FEMA’s resources, stating, “We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have,” while also expressing concerns about potential future hurricanes and FEMA’s financial capacity to respond adequately.
This disparity in funding allocation between migrants and hurricane victims has drawn criticism and raised questions about the administration’s priorities. Critics argue that FEMA’s focus on migrants has led to a neglect of essential disaster relief efforts.
Former President Trump criticized the administration’s handling of the situation, accusing Vice President Harris of depleting FEMA funds on migrant housing, leaving insufficient resources for hurricane response.
In response, a White House spokesperson clarified that FEMA has adequate resources for immediate hurricane response and recovery efforts. The spokesperson emphasized the administration’s commitment to supporting Hurricane Helene victims and monitoring the situation closely.
While critics have raised concerns about the prioritization of funding for migrants over American citizens in times of crisis, the White House maintains that both migrant assistance and disaster relief are funded separately and ensured that adequate support will be provided to all affected parties.
As the debate continues, calls for the administration to refocus on addressing the needs of American citizens and revising border policies have intensified. The Biden-Harris administration faces mounting pressure to reassess its approach to resource allocation and prioritize the well-being of the American people.
Syndicated with permission from The Center Square.
