Latest news with #ShelterandServicesProgram
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The "money for Texas" amendment: GOP budget could reward Greg Abbott for MAGA border stunts
Congressional Republicans slipped a provision into their budget passed Thursday that would hand out billions of dollars to pay for things like Texas Gov. Greg Abbot's immigrant busing initiative and state-funded border wall. An amendment to the House budget, passed Wednesday night, sets aside $12 billion for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to allocate to states, specifically to pay for programs the Trump administration considers supportive of its border security mission. The provision makes the money available to reimburse states for any costs related to aiding the effort "to enforce the immigration laws, including through detention and removal, and to combat the unlawful entry of persons and contraband." Under the provision, states would be able to obtain compensation for immigration-related activities dating back to January 2021, when former President Joe Biden was inaugurated. But there's a catch: The amendment to the bill also says that the secretary of Homeland Security cannot grant the money to any state that has received reimbursement under any other grant program managed by the department. In practical terms, this prohibition targets FEMA's Shelter and Services Program, a program created in order to help state and local governments as well as humanitarian groups pay for any costs associated with receiving immigrants while they await the outcome of their court proceedings. These costs can include anything from food, shelter, transportation, medical care or personal hygiene supplies. In effect, this language in the bill means that states like Texas, Florida and South Dakota can apply to receive funding for actions decried as political stunts, like Abbot's busing of immigrants to cities like New York, Gov. Ron DeSantis' flights of immigrants to California or Noem's own decision to send national guard troops to the southern border as South Dakota governor. 'Greg Abbott has been asking Congress to do this, and we've seen multiple GOP members of Congress request this funding. So this is, by and large, money for Texas,' Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, told Salon. Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, likewise noted in an analysis of the bill that the $12 billion provision appears largely being aimed at reimbursing Texas for its immigrant busing program, which cost the state roughly $1,900 per seat, as well as the state's other border initiatives, which included physically pushing immigrants back across the border and installing razor wire in the Rio Grande. WOLA approximated that the funding is comparable to the Head Start preschool program for low-income families or 22 times the budget for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS. Republicans also larded up their budget bill with huge funding for ICE, enough to make it the best-funded federal law enforcement agency ever, as well as numerous provisions aimed at making navigating the immigration process more expensive and more difficult for immigrants. In terms of top-line numbers, Republicans allocated $15 billion to ICE for deportations, $16.2 billion for hiring new ICE agents, $46.5 billion for building barriers across the border and $45 billion for adult and family detention. For example, the budget would require immigrants to pay a $1,000 minimum application fee to apply for asylum and a $500 fee for applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, applications which are currently free. For immigrants in ICE detention, who earn about $1 dollar a day, this would mean it would take nearly three years for them to earn enough money to apply for asylum. The bill also includes a provision imposing a $100 fee for immigrants who request additional time in immigration proceedings to obtain a lawyer, which only compounds the difficulties standing in immigrants' way in terms of finding legal counsel for their immigration proceedings. 'This puts a monetary price on defending yourself in court and seeking humanitarian protection,' Reichlin-Melnick told Salon. 'It overcharges people for the right to defend themselves in court.'
Axios
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Denver files lawsuit against Trump administration over rescinded FEMA funding
Denver joined Chicago and Pima County, Arizona, in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its move to revoke FEMA funding, the city announced Friday. Why it matters: It's the latest way Denver is challenging President Trump's policies, which are targeting cities like Denver that aren't complying with the administration's immigration plans. Denver bars its policing department from working with federal immigration authorities in most cases. Context: The city claims the administration's move is unconstitutional and overrides Congressional constitutional authority. The administration rescinded $24 million in federal grants for the city's migrant response, which city officials confirmed in April, Catch up quick: Congress has appropriated money for reimbursing cities and states for costs to support migrants since Trump's first administration. Their arrival in Denver — roughly 43,000 since 2022 — left the city scrambling to gather resources for people, and the city relied on federal money to provide them with services, including sheltering. The federal program, called the Shelter and Services Program, pays back cities for the services "necessitated by the federal government's immigration policies," per a statement from the city. The city claims the administration canceled the grants after Trump took office in January and did not inform grantees like Denver that the money wouldn't be made available. What they're saying: "I am incredibly proud of how our city responded to this crisis and will continue to fight for the funding we were awarded but have not received," Mayor Mike Johnston said in a statement. The Trump administration did not immediately respond to Axios Denver's request for comment. Between the lines: The lawsuit names U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting Administrator of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency David Richardson.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Denver joins lawsuit against Trump Administration after FEMA grant terminations
DENVER (KDVR) — The City and County of Denver is joining the lawsuit against the Trump Administration after its efforts to terminate FEMA grants, which included millions put toward Denver migrant shelters. On Friday, the city announced it is joining the lawsuit that the City of Chicago and Pima County, Arizona, are filing against the Trump Administration. Denver said the lawsuit comes after the 'unlawful and unconstitutional move to revoke federal funding awarded to local jurisdictions.' President Trump signs executive order on 'sanctuary jurisdictions' The city said that since the first Trump Administration, Congress has sent funds to reimburse communities for the cost of supporting migrants processed and released into the United States by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security due to federal immigration policy. Denver said Congress continued this program, known as the Shelter and Services Program, in 2022. The funds were administered through FEMA and intended to reimburse cities for the services used following the federal government's immigration policies. The city said that once President Donald Trump took office, his administration took action to take away the program grant balances without informing grantees. Denver claims this is unconstitutional and violates the Administrative Procedure Act, as it fails to provide a reason for their actions. 'While Donald Trump has time and again tried to divide the country instead of finding bipartisan solutions on immigration, the people of Denver stood up and stood together to help people in need,' said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. The city said it needs this program, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent more than 43,000 people to Denver. The program was used to prevent thousands of families from living on the streets and maintain public safety. 'The Shelter and Services Program was intended for the sole purpose of reimbursing cities who did exactly that while following all federal, state, and local laws. Now, the Trump administration is illegally trying to punish cities who did the work the federal government couldn't. I am incredibly proud of how our city responded to this crisis and will continue to fight for the funding we were awarded but have not received,' said Johnston. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration abruptly pulls $24M in grants for Denver migrant shelters — what it may mean for the city
The Mile High City has joined a growing list of U.S. metros put on notice by the Trump administration: No more federal money for shelters that support migrants. Denver leaders recently heard from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that the agency is rescinding $24 million in grants earmarked to support shelters and services for migrants arriving in the city. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) The abrupt termination of funding was revealed during a routine presentation to the City Council in April, disrupting the plans of city officials who were relying on these funds to offset the costs of an influx of migrants. "The city does not have the capacity, if all of that federal funding were to go away, to backfill it. And so, that is another risk that we are carefully monitoring and very concerned about," Budget Director Justin Sykes told the council, according to ABC affiliate Denver 7. Cities applied for FEMA grants for migrant support because they faced significant costs in providing emergency shelter, food, medical care and transportation to migrants released from federal short-term holding facilities. The Shelter and Services Program (SSP), administered by FEMA, was created to help non-federal entities offset some of these emergency costs, especially as large numbers of migrants began arriving and many could not immediately support themselves. Without this federal reimbursement, cities would have to bear these expenses alone, straining local budgets and resources. In Denver's case, roughly $8 million of the $32 million promised had already been dispersed, according to Denver 7. It's unclear whether FEMA will seek repayment of the initial grant. According to The Denver Post, Sykes told council members that the upcoming 2026 city budget doesn't account for federal grant money that has been canceled or may be canceled. But the city won't feel the hit for a while, as it wasn't expecting the federal reimbursement for several years, city spokesperson Jon Ewing told The Post. In a letter to the city, FEMA administrator Cameron Hamilton said Denver's program was at odds with Trump's view that federal money shouldn't support programs tied to encouraging or facilitating illegal immigration. 'Grant programs that support, or have the potential to support, illegal immigration through funding illegal activities or support for illegal aliens that is not consistent with DHS's enforcement focus do not effectuate the agency's current priorities,' the letter read. Read more: You're probably already overpaying for this 1 'must-have' expense — and thanks to Trump's tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here's how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now Denver is the latest city caught in the crossfire of Trump's campaign against sanctuary cities that limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The administration has repeatedly threatened and, in several cases, already pulled significant funding from major cities across the country. New York City recently faced a similar blow, losing $188 million previously allocated to its migrant support programs, according to CBS News. The administration's stark message is clear: Cities that openly defy strict immigration policies should expect to hear from FEMA. Earlier this year, President Trump signed sweeping executive orders aimed explicitly at clamping down on sanctuary policies. These orders include financial penalties, aggressive enforcement of deportation protocols and substantial funding cuts for non-compliant cities. Trump's strategy, critics say, puts city budgets nationwide in peril, risking vital public services that extend well beyond immigration support. Federal courts have already blocked some attempts to withhold funds from 16 cities, including Minneapolis, Portland and San Francisco, citing constitutional limits on the executive branch's authority to impose new grant conditions without congressional approval. That means the actual impact on city budgets remains uncertain and will likely be determined through ongoing legal battles. Denver's total budget for 2025 is about $4.4 billion, down 2.5% from the year prior. But since the city wasn't expecting to receive the full federal allotment for several years anyway, FEMA's move doesn't exactly spell a budget crisis — yet. However, if Denver pushes forward with its migrant support, the money will need to come from somewhere — so it's conceivable other parts of the city budget could suffer. The sudden funding withdrawal could become more than politics. As city officials consider whether to mitigate the loss of the FEMA money, residents may wonder how deep the hole is — and how much they may end up paying for a battle fought at the federal level. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Epoch Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Democrats Decry Spending Cuts in Trump's 2026 Budget Proposal
WASHINGTON—Democrats expressed their objection to President Donald Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, criticizing the proposed big cuts to social spending programs. The Trump administration on May 2 published an extract of the president's recommendations to Congress for Fiscal Year 2026, which is the first step in the process of funding the government for that period. The Other entities—such as the departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, the latter for a 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative—will gain funds, with the net reduction in spending being $163 billion, or 22.6 percent below previous levels. Defense spending in the 2026 budget will remain unchanged from the previous year, at $892 billion, but may be increased by the ongoing budget reconciliation process for 2025, leading to an effective defense budget exceeding $1.6 trillion. Democrats have long championed several programs that the administration seeks to cut, many of which were started during the Biden administration. They have vowed to oppose any bills that act upon these recommendations. '[The budget proposal] guts healthcare, slashes education, and hollows out programs families rely on,' wrote Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a Related Stories 5/2/2025 4/28/2025 Maryland's Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, said in a 'The president's budget proposal would kill jobs, hollow out health care and public education, and accelerate the reckless assault on Maryland's economy that started on January 20,' he said, referring to the day Trump returned to the White House. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, ' You can count on a 'hell no' from me if this Trump budget ever gets a vote,' wrote Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) on social media. Many Republicans are jubilant about the budget proposal. 'President Trump's 2026 'Skinny' Budget is a huge move in the right direction!' 'President Trump's budget would eliminate the Shelter and Services Program that facilitated swarms of illegal aliens into American communities and save taxpayers $650 million,' he noted. House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) The office of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
