U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) reintroduced the FEMA for America First Act on Thursday, a legislative effort aimed at restricting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief benefits to American citizens and certain noncitizens with specific legal statuses. The bill, first proposed in a prior Congress, seeks to overhaul eligibility rules to prioritize aid for U.S. taxpayers and lawful permanent residents amidst ongoing debates over immigration and federal resource allocation.
The FEMA for America First Act would amend existing law to ensure that only noncitizens holding lawful permanent resident status—commonly known as green card holders—or asylees and refugees actively pursuing that status can access FEMA assistance following natural disasters.
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Currently, federal regulations allow noncitizens paroled into the U.S. for at least one year under “urgent humanitarian purposes” to qualify for such benefits, a policy Steube argues has stretched FEMA’s resources too thin.
“American citizens must be our priority when it comes to disaster recovery,” Steube said in a statement. “For too long, FEMA benefits have been extended to paroled noncitizens and individuals who entered our country under policies that many believe have put genuine Americans at a disadvantage.” He pointed to the Biden administration’s use of humanitarian parole, which has allowed some immigrants to enter and remain in the U.S. temporarily, as a loophole that diverts critical aid from citizens and lawful residents.
Under Steube’s proposal, eligibility would hinge on stricter criteria: noncitizens would need a valid green card and proof of tax contributions, while asylees and refugees would have to demonstrate active steps toward permanent residency. The changes, Steube contends, would “restore accountability” to FEMA’s mission, particularly as the agency grapples with funding demands after a series of costly natural disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires.
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The reintroduction comes amid heightened political focus on immigration policy following President Donald Trump’s return to office. FEMA, tasked with disaster response and recovery, has faced scrutiny over its budget and priorities, with some conservatives arguing that aid to noncitizens undermines support for American communities. Critics of the bill, however, warn that tightening eligibility could leave vulnerable populations—such as legally present immigrants awaiting status adjustments—without help in times of crisis.
Steube’s office highlighted the bill as a “decisive step” to realign FEMA’s focus, though it faces an uncertain path in Congress. With Republicans holding narrow majorities in both chambers, the legislation could gain traction among fiscal hawks and immigration hardliners, but bipartisan support remains elusive.
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As natural disasters continue to test FEMA’s capacity, the FEMA for America First Act adds a new layer to the national conversation about who qualifies for federal aid—and how limited resources should be distributed when disaster strikes.
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