FEMA Admin Refuses To Say American Citizens Should Be Prioritized Ahead Of Illegal Immigrants

In a heated exchange during a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on Tuesday, Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro of New York pressed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell over the agency’s disaster response priorities, accusing FEMA of prioritizing illegal immigrants over American citizens. The exchange centered on concerns that FEMA’s funding decisions, particularly its allocation of resources for the migrant crisis, were diverting essential funds from disaster relief efforts in American communities affected by natural disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Molinaro’s criticism comes after FEMA reportedly disbursed roughly $1 billion assisting cities, counties, and states in managing the influx of migrants. At the same time, the agency has faced criticism for insufficient funding and support for disaster relief operations following recent hurricanes.

During the committee hearing, Molinaro called attention to the fact that FEMA had distributed substantial amounts of funding to support migrants, while American citizens affected by natural disasters were reportedly receiving minimal financial aid. He cited a $750 emergency payment FEMA issued to residents in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia following Hurricane Helene. While the one-time payment was intended to provide for basic needs such as food and water, it did not come close to covering the full scope of the damage that many families faced, and additional assistance for housing and home repairs required a lengthy and complicated process.

Molinaro challenged FEMA’s funding priorities, questioning the agency’s logic in allocating funds to address the migrant crisis while American citizens struggled to access disaster relief. He pointed out what he viewed as an “absurdity” in the fact that illegal immigrants were receiving quicker and more comprehensive support than American citizens impacted by hurricanes.

“Do you see the absurdity that American citizens are getting their $750 and then yes, struggling through a very complicated process to meet the thresholds necessary to get the aid they need to have housing, food and shelter while your agency is contracting with not-for-profits to easily hand out access to those who are placed here illegally?” Molinaro asked. “Do you see the absurdity?”

Administrator Criswell responded, “We should make sure that all people have access to our programs and that we remove the barriers,” Criswell said, adding that FEMA’s goal was to provide services equitably.

Molinaro pressed on, questioning whether it was fair to provide immediate assistance to those who are in the country illegally while American citizens face delays and hurdles to access the aid they need. He noted that illegal immigrants were often receiving significant taxpayer-funded resources, such as housing, food, healthcare, and even travel expenses, while U.S. citizens were receiving much less in disaster relief.

He asked Criswell directly: “Do you not see the inequity that they have access immediately?”

Criswell attempted to deflect responsibility, stating that FEMA was bound by Congressional decisions regarding its funding and mission. Molinaro, however, argued that FEMA had discretion in how it prioritized resources and could have focused more on providing immediate relief to American citizens impacted by disasters.

Molinaro’s insistence that FEMA should prioritize American citizens in its disaster relief efforts reflects broader concerns about the growing costs of immigration-related programs and the inequities in how federal resources are distributed.