U.S. Representative Greg Steube, a Republican from Florida, has introduced the FEMA for America First Act. This proposed legislation aims to restrict Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) benefits to noncitizens who are paroled and asylees or refugees unless they are on the path to becoming lawful permanent residents.
Rep. Steube stated his opposition to granting FEMA benefits to “paroled noncitizens and the millions of asylees and refugees who have wrongfully invaded our country over the past four years.” He criticized the Biden-Harris administration, claiming it has denied FEMA applications from American citizens while providing resources to noncitizens. According to Rep. Steube, “This cannot stand,” emphasizing that his legislation would prioritize American citizens in receiving disaster recovery support.
The bill seeks to amend existing laws by ensuring that any noncitizen applying for FEMA assistance is either a lawful permanent resident or in the process of obtaining such status. The current regulations allow noncitizens paroled into the U.S. for at least one year under urgent humanitarian purposes to be eligible for these benefits.
Rep. Steube accused the Biden-Harris administration of misusing parole programs as a means to manage illegal crossings while still allowing large numbers of inadmissible aliens into the country. Since January 20, 2021, more than two million inadmissible aliens have reportedly been paroled into the U.S., with an additional two million released with Notices to Appear, according to data from the Committee on Homeland Security Majority.
