White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre recently made a false claim that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is not using its funding to resettle illegal aliens, despite information to the contrary on the agency’s website. When asked during a press briefing if former President Donald Trump’s claim about FEMA was true, Jean-Pierre responded: “It is categorically false. It is not true. It is a false statement.
However, the FEMA website states that its funding has been used to house illegal immigrants who have entered the United States during the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The Shelter and Services Program (SSP), administered by FEMA in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), provides financial support to non-federal entities to provide humanitarian services to noncitizen migrants following their release from DHS facilities.
Critics argue that the White House and its federal agencies are not “comparing notes,” as DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted that they have spent funds on migrants, leaving the agency without adequate funds for the remainder of the hurricane season. In response to recent controversy, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a new bill aimed at terminating FEMA’s SSP so unspent funds can be redirected to help Americans recover from natural disasters.