Former President Donald Trump and his allies are spreading misinformation, claiming that FEMA disaster relief funds are being diverted to aid migrants in the U.S. illegally, further complicating the federal response to Hurricane Helene's devastation. At a rally in Michigan on Thursday, Trump alleged that federal disaster money was "stolen" and redirected to migrants, a baseless claim that has since been amplified by conservative media and his supporters on social platforms.
"They stole the FEMA money, just like they stole it from a bank, so they could give it to their illegal immigrants that they want to have vote for them this season," Trump said, falsely conflating two separate federal programs.
The confusion appears to stem from FEMA's role in administering two distinct funds: the Disaster Relief Fund, used for emergency disaster response, and the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which provides grants to cities managing the influx of migrants. FEMA, however, has explicitly stated that no disaster funds are being diverted. "Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts," the agency clarified on its website.
FEMA's response to Hurricane Helene has been robust, with over 245,000 people applying for financial assistance, and $20 million in initial relief disbursed to impacted states. The storm has left at least 215 dead and damaged large parts of the southeastern U.S., with Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina among the worst-hit areas. FEMA has delivered millions of meals and liters of water, as well as emergency generators and tarps to help storm victims.
Despite the federal response, Trump's claims that funds were diverted for migrant services have gained traction. His son, Donald Trump Jr., echoed the false narrative on X (formerly Twitter), where he criticized the Biden administration for what he claimed was prioritizing foreign aid and migrants over Americans impacted by the storm. "$750 for Americans in desperate need many of whom lost everything, but billions for migrants," Trump Jr. tweeted, misrepresenting the aid distribution.
In reality, the SSP, created by Congress in 2022, provides grants to cities grappling with the arrival of migrants. These funds, totaling $640 million in 2024, are entirely separate from FEMA's $20 billion Disaster Relief Fund, which is solely dedicated to natural disaster response. FEMA clarified that no funds allocated for Hurricane Helene's recovery efforts are being used for migrant support.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas addressed the situation, saying FEMA has sufficient funds for immediate disaster response but acknowledged the agency is stretched thin and may run short if another hurricane strikes this season. "We are expecting another hurricane hitting, and FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season," Mayorkas said.
The ongoing claims that FEMA funds are being misused have exacerbated concerns about the government's ability to address simultaneous crises. Trump and other Republicans, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, have demanded that federal funds allocated for migrants be redirected to disaster relief. Abbott tweeted, "Mayorkas and FEMA - immediately stop spending money on illegal immigration resettlement and redirect those funds to areas hit by the hurricane."
However, FEMA officials, along with bipartisan lawmakers, have reiterated that such claims are misleading. FEMA's Shelter and Services Program is funded separately by Congress and cannot legally be repurposed for disaster response.
FEMA's challenges are compounded by the absence of a consistent federal budget. As of this year, Congress has passed four short-term spending bills instead of a comprehensive funding plan, which has placed additional strain on federal agencies. FEMA is currently operating on a continuing resolution that provides limited funding but is insufficient for long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene and future disasters.
Efforts to secure additional funding are underway, with a bipartisan group of senators from affected states, including Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), calling on Congress to allocate more emergency relief. "Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states," the senators wrote in a joint letter to Congress, urging swift action.
President Joe Biden has also voiced concerns about FEMA's funding situation. While visiting disaster-stricken areas in Georgia and Florida, Biden rejected the idea of delaying further aid until after the upcoming elections. "Can't wait. People need help now," Biden said, reinforcing his administration's commitment to providing immediate assistance.
