President Donald Trump made false claims about the Federal Emergency Management Agency giving money to undocumented immigrants after Hurricane Helene, leaving immigrant advocates in disbelief.
In reality, the federal government has actively prevented undocumented individuals from receiving assistance. Federal agencies are prohibited by law from providing cash aid to them during disasters. Time and time again, when hurricanes or wildfires strike, immigrants are left to fend for themselves.
To bridge this gap, mutual aid groups have emerged, pioneering a model where state governments allocate aid funds through nonprofits.
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, home to 1.2 million undocumented immigrants, activists question why the federal government does little to support the same immigrant communities that contribute to post-disaster rebuilding efforts.
Democratic New York Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, who helped establish a state-level fund for Hurricane Ida victims, emphasized the need for more government support at all levels.
“We are comfortable having people work for us, ensuring our well-being, but when a natural disaster strikes and their lives are destroyed, suddenly we question their immigration status,” Cruz said.
Trump’s Latest False Claim
After Hurricane Helene, Trump falsely alleged at an October 3 rally in North Carolina that the Biden administration diverted FEMA funds to undocumented immigrants for political gain. Vice President Kamala Harris condemned this baseless claim as irresponsible and callous.
Former FEMA director Craig Fugate debunked Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that FEMA is bound by law to allocate funds only as authorized by Congress, which excludes cash aid for undocumented immigrants.
Legally, FEMA cannot provide cash assistance to undocumented individuals, making them ineligible for immediate relief or reconstruction aid.
“Filling a Gap”
While undocumented individuals have limited options for short-term non-cash aid, they can seek assistance on behalf of U.S.-born children. However, concerns about sharing personal information with federal agencies deter even some legally documented immigrants.
In response, immigrant aid organizations collect donations through various platforms to assist community members in need.
After wildfires in Sonoma County, California, community groups established the UndocuFund, distributing millions to households affected by disasters. Similar funds in California aided immigrants impacted by the Thomas Fire and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Back on Their Feet”
The UndocuFunds served as a model for California’s first state-level pandemic relief fund for undocumented immigrants during the Covid-19 pandemic, showcasing the importance of community support in times of crisis.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to stop the practice of separating families seeking asylum at the border. Prior to this order, over 2,300 immigrant children had been separated from their parents under the zero-tolerance policy for border crossers.
Cruz, a New York assemblymember, came up with the idea for a fund to help those affected by a storm after hearing from a senior citizen who had lost everything in her basement apartment.
“The governor recognized the need to provide a humanitarian hand to New Yorkers who were taxpayers and supporting our economy,” Cruz explained. “This fund was a way to help people get back on their feet.”
Despite Cruz’s efforts, state legislators have not yet made the fund permanent. Additionally, the amount of aid available at the state level is much smaller compared to what the federal government can provide.
Becca Telzak, deputy director of Make the Road New York, a nonprofit involved in distributing aid money, emphasized that programs like this are not a long-term solution. She believes that the ultimate goal should be to change policies so that affected individuals are eligible for government relief.
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