RELEASE: Cloud, Risch Introduce Bill to End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants

WASHINGTON—Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) and Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act to stop the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from diverting taxpayer dollars away from disaster relief and toward benefits for illegal immigrants.

During the Biden administration, FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program (SSP) provided $1.45 billion in grants to non-federal entities for housing, transportation, and other services for illegal immigrants—resources that should have been focused on Americans affected by natural disasters. This bill will eliminate the SSP program and redirect any unused funds toward deficit reduction.

“FEMA exists to serve American citizens in times of crisis, not to bankroll benefits for illegal immigrants,” said Cloud. “With disaster response resources already stretched thin, the last thing FEMA should be doing is funding hotel rooms, flights, and food for those who broke our laws to enter this country. President Trump made it clear that taxpayer money should not be used to encourage illegal immigration. This legislation follows through on that priority and ensures FEMA gets back to its original mission—helping American communities rebuild and recover.”

“While American citizens recovering from disaster struggle to make ends meet, FEMA has spent billions of dollars on hotel stays, flights, and food for illegal immigrants,” said Risch. “The End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act stops this insanity, reins in FEMA’s wasteful spending, and refocuses the agency on serving American citizens facing disasters.”

“FEMA funds should be reserved for actual natural disasters,” said NumbersUSA’s Michael Hough. “Unfortunately during the Biden-Harris Administration FEMA funds were used to pay for their open border policies.”

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a duty, first and foremost, to help Americans in their time of greatest need,” said Immigration Accountability Project’s Grant Newman. “Instead, for the past four years, FEMA grants have been used to facilitate a self-inflicted border crisis. The Immigration Accountability Project is thankful to Congressman Cloud and Senator Risch for the End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act, which would refocus FEMA on its core mission.” 

In January 2025, President Trump issued an executive order calling for a full review of FEMA’s operations, citing the agency’s misallocation of taxpayer funds to support illegal immigration. The End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act aligns with that directive, ensuring that FEMA is focused on disaster preparedness and response—not facilitating illegal immigration.

Cosponsors: Sen. Crapo (ID), Sen. Daines (MT), Sen. Lummis (WY), Sen. Sheehy (MT), Rep. Boebert (CO-04), Rep. Edwards (NC-11), Rep. Haridopolos (FL-08), Rep. Rose (TN-06), Rep. Tenney (NY-24), and Rep. Webster (FL-11).

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