As people in North Carolina, Georgia, and surrounding states struggle to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helen, questions are arising about the Biden-Harris administration's allocation of critical disaster relief funds. Hundreds of people remain missing in flood-ravaged Appalachian towns, with families waiting for federal aid while more than $1 billion in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds go to illegal immigrants. It has become clear that the facility has been diverted to service.
FEMA, the agency responsible for coordinating emergency responses to natural disasters, will provide nearly $364 million in 2023 and an additional $650 million in 2024 to the “Shelter and Services Program,” according to The Federalist. It is said that he turned to The program, as stated on the government's own website referenced in the report, provides humanitarian assistance to undocumented immigrants released from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) short-term detention facilities. The agency worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to allocate these funds to support the “orderly humanitarian release” of migrants. The decision sparked sharp criticism on the grounds that prioritizing aid for migrants diverted funds from urgent domestic needs.
FEMA’s “Woke” Transformation
One group that picked up the news was America First Legal (AFL), a conservative legal advocacy group founded by Stephen Miller, a former senior adviser to President Donald Trump.
In a series of posts to X, AFL shot down FEMA's apparent shift in priorities under the Biden-Harris administration. For example, the AFL claimed that FEMA's emergency food and shelter program was restructured to primarily fund “families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security at the southern border,” also known as illegal immigrants. . The AFL says $685 million in taxpayer dollars was reallocated to fund services for these individuals. One of the posts said:
“Over the past four years, the Biden-Harris administration has steadily transformed FEMA, the agency responsible for responding to natural disasters like Hurricane Helen, into an illegal alien resettlement agency that prioritizes DEI over public safety. It has changed.”
The group details
The Shelter and Services Program is designed to provide shelter and services only to undocumented immigrants. More than $1 billion in taxpayer dollars was allocated from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2024.
For example, FEMA has allocated more than $38 million to New York City, a sanctuary city facing an influx of illegal immigrants. The city uses these funds to provide gift cards and hotel accommodations to immigrants.
The AFL thread highlights FEMA's increasing focus on “fairness.” This priority primarily targets so-called vulnerable populations, such as those with functional needs and individuals whose primary language is not English. One of the key initiatives noted by the AFL is the November 2023 Post-Disaster Guide for Local Government Officials and Leaders. This guide aims for “equitable recovery” in disaster-stricken areas. The guide prioritizes relief efforts based on race, gender, and sexual orientation.
AFL also took issue with FEMA's “Outline of Eight Equity Goals.” These goals advocate “equitable outcomes” and “justice for all” after natural disasters. Additionally, AFL emphasized that FEMA focuses on specific groups such as “people of color,” “women,” and the “LGBTQ+ community.” This focus has drawn criticism for prioritizing these groups in disaster response. Arguably, this emphasis diverts resources away from addressing broader population needs. The AFL argued that such policies implied that “natural disasters do not have the same impact on white heterosexual men.”
In conclusion, the organization claimed that FEMA is currently using disaster response as a means to promote “radical equity policies.” At the same time, FEMA funds are being used to assist and resettle undocumented immigrants rather than provide direct aid to Americans affected by disasters.
FEMA and Helen
From September 25th to September 30th, between Hurricane Helen's landfall and its subsequent impact on multiple states, FEMA faced significant criticism for its disaster response response. The storm, a Category 4 hurricane, caused widespread damage, killing more than 120 people and flooding many areas, particularly in North Carolina, Georgia, and other nearby states.
Critics argued that FEMA was slow to respond, with some shelters in western North Carolina reportedly over capacity and lacking sufficient food supplies. Journalists and social media users criticized FEMA, calling it “nowhere to be found.” Countless reports highlighted the lack of adequate response by government agencies and fueled frustration among residents who were waiting for federal aid.
Some cited reports in August that FEMA was “running out of money” and was doing nothing to help struggling Americans.
Some observers argued that President Biden is not requesting additional funding for FEMA. At the same time, they pointed out, he sent billions of dollars to support foreign wars. The comparison prompted further criticism of his administration's priorities.
Critics have blasted FEMA for prioritizing “equity” in disaster relief efforts, as outlined in its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. They argued that this focus was diverting attention from addressing the urgent needs of affected people.
“In case you're wondering why the response to Hurricane Helen was such a disaster…Fema's goal number one is to instill equity as the foundation of emergency management.” posted Libs on TikTok.
harris, biden, trump
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris faced backlash for her apparent inability to handle disaster response. Conservatives condemned Harris' participation in what appeared to be a staged disaster briefing. He also faced criticism for refusing to answer questions from reporters. This increased public dissatisfaction with the federal government's response.
At the time, Harris' boss, President Biden, was spending a relaxing weekend at his favorite beach. Harris' campaign opponent, former President Donald Trump, visited Valdosta, Georgia. The storm hit this area particularly hard. During his visit, he partnered with relief organizations to deliver supplies.
This entire fiasco reinforces the need to get the federal government out of the “disaster relief” business. Of course, FEMA is an unconstitutional federal agency that appears to have done more harm than good during its existence. Disaster relief efforts would be much better handled at the state or local level, combined with private efforts.
