Quick Bytes
- Congress approves 2024 fiscal appropriations, cutting $150 million from FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program.
- Cities struggle to maintain migrant aid due to federal funding cuts, impacting shelters and services.
- Local governments call for federal action as they face budget constraints in supporting migrants.
- Reduction in SSP funding challenges the ability of states and cities to welcome new arrivals.
Summary of Congressional Funding Cuts Impacting Migrant Aid
After intense negotiations, Congress has passed the fiscal year 2024 appropriations, which President Biden has signed into law. This new budget includes significant cuts to immigration-related funding, notably a $150 million reduction from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Shelter and Services Program (SSP). This program has been instrumental for states and localities in recouping costs associated with providing services to migrants, such as shelter and medical care.
The funding cuts threaten the support infrastructure for migrants, which cities have developed over the past two years. With the federal support waning, cities are now compelled to scale back their assistance to migrants, despite their initial rapid response and infrastructure development to accommodate the influx of asylum seekers at the southern U.S. border.
Local governments have been vocal about the need for federal aid, with mayors and governors from major cities and states requesting increased funding and support. They have also advocated for expedited work authorization for migrants to alleviate the financial pressures on local communities. Despite these bipartisan calls for action, Congress has made little progress in implementing significant policy changes, leaving states and cities to manage the situation with limited resources.
The reduction in SSP funding has forced local governments to make difficult decisions, such as limiting the duration of migrants’ stays in shelters and reallocating funds from other services to support migrant needs. This shift in policy underscores the challenges faced by states and cities in continuing to provide aid to migrants without adequate federal support.
In conclusion, the cut in SSP funding represents a step back in the efforts to address the needs of newly arrived migrants, with local governments bearing the brunt of the financial burden.
