U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey Proudly Serving the 6th District of Texas | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey Proudly Serving the 6th District of Texas | Official U.S. House headshot
The Department of Homeland Security has come under scrutiny for its allocation of funds amid concerns about disaster relief capabilities. Congressman Jake Ellzey criticized Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for redirecting resources to support illegal immigration, which he claims should be prioritized for disaster relief efforts.
Currently, FEMA is facing a shortfall in funding necessary to cover the remainder of the hurricane season. "At a time when FEMA is warning that they do not have enough funding to cover the rest of the hurricane season, money has been funneled into programs that provide aid to noncitizen migrants," said Ellzey.
More than $1 billion has reportedly been allocated to programs like the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which are now supporting illegal immigrants. This decision comes as 150,000 households are already depending on FEMA assistance following recent hurricanes. Ellzey described this as "a gross misallocation of resources."
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas addressed these concerns by stating that SSP operates from a separate appropriated account distinct from disaster relief funds. He emphasized that no disaster response money has been diverted: "FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts."
Despite assurances from FEMA's website that their funds remain untouched for non-disaster-related purposes, criticism persists regarding how federal resources are being utilized during times of natural disasters.
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