House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) has recently accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of prioritizing the needs of illegal aliens over American citizens affected by Hurricane Helene. The devastating hurricane, which has resulted in more than 220 deaths, left residents across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky without power or driveable roads. Many people have struggled to obtain necessities during this difficult time.
During the week of the hurricane, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas made an alarming statement that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “does not have the funds to make it through the [hurricane] season.” This announcement came shortly after the Biden-Harris administration allocated hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to fund its Shelter and Services Program (SSP. The SSP was created by the administration to deliver funds to sanctuary cities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) helping resettle migrants in the United States after they have crossed the southern border.
Mark Green criticized Mayorkas’ statement as a reflection of the “completely backwards” worldview of the Biden-Harris administration. He stated that the current administration has consistently prioritized the interests of illegal immigrants over those of American citizens since its inception, pushing for hundreds of millions of FEMA dollars every year to benefit undocumented individuals.
Last year, House Republicans removed this funding from the FY24 DHS appropriations bill, only for the Democrat-controlled Senate and White House to push for its reinstatement within the omnibus spending bill. Green referred to the Biden-Harris administration’s response to Hurricane Helene as “an issue of priorities.
It takes a lot of nerve for Secretary Mayorkas to ask for more money after he and his bosses in the White House fought for roughly $650 million just this year for the Shelter and Services Program,” Green said. He went on to add that, under the leadership of Biden and Harris, American tax dollars are being used to facilitate illegal immigration while many citizens are left to suffer during natural disasters.
The administration’s alleged prioritization of undocumented immigrants over American citizens facing Hurricane Helene raises concerns about the allocation of resources and funding for disaster relief efforts in the United States. The ongoing debate surrounding the management of taxpayer dollars highlights the importance of balancing support for vulnerable populations with ensuring adequate resources are provided to address the needs of citizens impacted by natural disasters.