FEMA freezes $10 billion in disaster aid for nonprofits amid immigration review
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has halted $10 billion in disaster aid for nonprofits while reviewing whether the funds comply with President Trump’s executive order targeting undocumented migrants.
Thomas Frank reports for E&E News.
In short:
- FEMA is examining 56 programs to ensure compliance with a February executive order prohibiting funding for NGOs that support undocumented migrants.
- Two key programs, totaling $9.8 billion, have been frozen: one for rebuilding nonprofit facilities and another for short-term housing aid.
- Critics warn the freeze could delay recovery efforts in disaster-stricken areas, where nonprofits play a vital role in community rebuilding.
Key quote:
“That will adversely impact recovery, whether it’s North Carolina, Los Angeles or West Virginia. In these communities, a lot of the NGOs are a key part of the community and the community recovery process.”
— Michael Coen, former FEMA chief of staff
Why this matters:
In communities still reeling from hurricanes in the Gulf Coast or wildfires in California, where nonprofits often step in to fill the gaps left by under-resourced local governments, these disruptions could translate into longer periods without safe housing, clean water, or access to health care. Public health experts caution that the ripple effects could deepen existing inequalities and prolong human suffering in the aftermath of climate-driven disasters.
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