Congresswoman Nancy Mace has introduced a bill to terminate FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program (SSP), a federal initiative that provides aid to undocumented immigrants. The SSP, according to Mace, has become a wasteful diversion of taxpayer dollars, particularly in the wake of devastating natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. Mace’s proposal seeks to redirect the program’s unspent funds to support Americans in disaster-stricken areas, emphasizing the need to prioritize citizens’ recovery efforts over immigration services.
In a press release, Mace criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), accusing Vice President Kamala Harris and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of turning the agency into a de facto “migrant resettlement agency.” She argued that the SSP misuses funds that should be going toward helping Americans recover from natural disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires, rather than providing shelter for undocumented immigrants.
“It’s unacceptable for Americans to grapple with the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene while the federal government remains fixated on spending hundreds of millions on a program sheltering illegal immigrants instead of helping our own citizens,” said Mace.
The fiscal year 2024 budget allocated $650 million for the SSP, which is designed to provide emergency shelter and humanitarian assistance to undocumented immigrants who arrive at the U.S. border. Mace’s bill would immediately terminate the program and ensure that any remaining funds are redirected to disaster recovery efforts for Americans affected by recent calamities.
Mace emphasized the disparity between the funding allocated to immigration services and the urgent needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. She noted that while FEMA is traditionally tasked with responding to disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, the agency has been stretched thin due to its involvement in immigration services. Mace’s bill, she said, seeks to refocus FEMA’s mission on disaster relief and recovery.
“Kamala Harris and Alejandro Mayorkas have turned FEMA into a migrant resettlement agency,” Mace stated. “It’s time to end this mess. Our bill will make sure funds meant for disaster relief are utilized where they are needed most—actual disaster relief.”
The congresswoman’s criticism comes at a time when many parts of the country are reeling from significant natural disasters. Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, left widespread destruction across the southeastern U.S., particularly in small towns like Bat Cave, North Carolina, where residents have struggled to receive adequate assistance. Mace pointed to the ongoing recovery efforts in places like Bat Cave as a prime example of why the SSP should be defunded in favor of redirecting resources to disaster-stricken communities.
Mace’s bill seeks to address what she views as a growing problem within FEMA. The agency, she contended, is being forced to balance disaster recovery operations with immigration responsibilities, leading to delays and inefficiencies in responding to both crises. By eliminating the SSP, Mace argues that FEMA can better focus its resources on helping Americans in need.
Proponents of the bill agree that federal disaster relief efforts are stretched too thin and argue that the government should prioritize American citizens when allocating resources. Supporters of Mace’s proposal also highlight the growing strain on local communities that are tasked with dealing with both the aftermath of natural disasters and the challenges posed by increasing numbers of undocumented immigrants.
Critics, however, argue that Mace’s bill is politically motivated and overlooks the complex humanitarian issues surrounding immigration. They point out that the SSP was created in response to the large numbers of migrants arriving at the southern border, many of whom are fleeing violence and poverty. These critics believe that terminating the SSP would not only jeopardize the safety of these vulnerable individuals but also create new problems at the border, where detention facilities are already overcrowded.
In response to the bill, immigration advocates have stressed the importance of providing humane treatment to those seeking refuge in the United States, arguing that the SSP helps alleviate some of the pressure on border communities. They claim that ending the program would only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and make it more difficult to manage the flow of migrants into the country.
Despite the controversy surrounding the SSP, Mace remains adamant that her bill is a necessary step to ensure that FEMA’s resources are being used appropriately. She has garnered support from several Republican lawmakers who share her concerns about the federal government’s priorities when it comes to disaster relief and immigration.
As the bill moves forward, it will likely face opposition from Democrats and immigration advocates who argue that cutting the SSP could have serious consequences for migrants and border communities. Still, Mace’s proposal has sparked a broader conversation about the role of FEMA in handling both disaster recovery and immigration services, and whether the agency is equipped to manage both responsibilities effectively.
In the coming weeks, the debate over the future of FEMA’s immigration services will continue to unfold, with both sides making their case for how best to allocate federal resources in the face of competing crises. Whether Mace’s bill will succeed remains to be seen, but it has already brought renewed attention to the challenges facing FEMA and the federal government’s response to both natural disasters and immigration issues.
