U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has introduced the FEMA for America First Act, legislation aimed at limiting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster benefits to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
The bill specifically seeks to exclude noncitizens on parole, asylees, and refugees not actively pursuing green card status from accessing FEMA assistance after natural disasters.
Under current law, noncitizens paroled into the U.S. for at least one year on humanitarian grounds are eligible for FEMA benefits. Steube’s legislation proposes a change, requiring all noncitizen applicants to be lawful permanent residents, such as green card holders, or asylees and refugees actively pursuing green card status to qualify for disaster aid…