On October 2, as Hurricane Milton had Florida squarely in its crosshairs, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced, “FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season and what is imminent.” Immediately after his announcement, conservatives who repeated his words were accused of “disinformation” and “misinformation.”  

In September 2022, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took to the press stage to announce that FEMA Regional Administrators had been meeting with city officials to “coordinate available federal support from FEMA” for money to fund illegal immigrants. She added that “funding is also available
through FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter,” indicating that this was a separate program. These words, taken directly from KJP herself, have also been labeled “misinformation.” 

Democrats continue to accuse conservatives of misleading the American people by using the two statements as proof that FEMA is running out of money and spending FEMA funds on illegal immigrants, despite the black-and-white proof backing up the claims. But now, Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee are looking into what the Department of Homeland Security has prioritized. 

The Biden administration has asked for more money for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). Conservatives are pointing out that FEMA has given grants to non-profits and local communities that are helping illegal immigrants during the border crisis. This year, $650 million was provided for migrants, including money from Customs and Border Protection. 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has often said that Congress approves the money for migrants from a source other than the Disaster Relief Fund. DHS says the Disaster Relief Fund hasn’t lost money because of spending on migrants and disagrees with some conservative claims that disaster money was used for migrants. 

A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Secretary Mayorkas said FEMA has enough resources to handle the needs of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton victims.  

The spokesperson must have been watching a briefing different from the one the rest of America saw in early October. 

The spokesman also pointed out that the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a separate grant program that Congress approved and funded and is not connected to FEMA’s disaster funds in any way. 

Republican lawmakers agree that the money for migrants and disaster relief comes from different sources. However, they point out that Congress has approved or given even more money than was asked for disaster relief, with $61.2 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund in 2023 and 2024. 

In an October 11 letter to Mayorkas, the committee expressed concerns that the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA did not inform Congress about the need for more disaster relief funds. However, DHS asked for large amounts of money for FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which gives grants to help with shelter and services for migrants, including illegal immigrants. The lawmakers say that FEMA has given out more than $1.4 billion through the SSP and an earlier Emergency Food and Shelter Program for humanitarian aid for illegals. 

The committee points out that $344 million has been spent on helping communities affected by Hurricane Helene, which is only a little more than what has been spent on migrants. They understand that the money for disaster relief and the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) isn’t mixed. However, they believe the Department should focus on using taxpayer money to help Americans first.  

The committee is asking for all documents and communications from FEMA and DHS about funding for the SSP, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and the Disaster Relief Fund, including information on who received the grants. 

The probe is the latest attempt by Republican lawmakers to get to the bottom of why and how the administration is focusing on aiding illegal immigrants as much as, if not more, than Americans in need. A week before the probe was launched, a group of Republican senators sent a letter to the Biden administration asking if DHS’s focus on handling the border crisis might affect how ready it is for emergencies.  

They also said that budget requests to Congress have asked for continued funding for FEMA’s work at the border. The senators stated that FEMA wouldn’t have needed as much work on the border crisis if the administration had used its powers to secure the border. 

As the weather cools, controversy heats up ahead of November’s election. The message is clear for residents of storm-battered states like Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. The Biden administration has consistently counted illegal immigrants as a top priority, leaving Americans far behind.  

It’s not misinformation or disinformation. It’s reality. Americans are second-class citizens in their nation.