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FEMA for America First Act of 2025
3/27/2025, 8:07 AM
Summary of Bill HR 1748
Qualified aliens are individuals who are legally present in the United States and meet specific criteria, such as having a valid visa or green card. The bill seeks to restrict access to certain types of disaster relief, such as financial assistance or temporary housing, for non-qualified aliens.
The rationale behind this bill is to ensure that taxpayer-funded disaster assistance is prioritized for individuals who are legally present in the country. Supporters argue that limiting assistance to qualified aliens will help prevent misuse of funds and ensure that resources are allocated to those who are entitled to receive them. Critics of the bill argue that it could potentially leave vulnerable populations, such as undocumented immigrants, without access to critical disaster relief services. They argue that in times of crisis, all individuals should have access to necessary assistance regardless of their immigration status. Overall, Bill 119 hr 1748 raises important questions about the intersection of immigration policy and disaster relief efforts. It will be important for lawmakers to carefully consider the potential impacts of this bill on vulnerable populations and ensure that all individuals affected by disasters have access to the assistance they need.
Congressional Summary of HR 1748
FEMA for America First Act of 2025
This bill restricts the eligibility of non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) for federal disaster assistance benefits by eliminating eligibility for individuals with certain immigration statuses.
Under current law, a non-U.S. national must have one of several specific immigration statuses (e.g., lawful permanent resident, parolee, or refugee) to be eligible for federal disaster assistance provided to individuals (e.g., the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program or disaster unemployment assistance).
The bill narrows the immigration statuses eligible for disaster assistance to individuals by making non-U.S. nationals ineligible for such assistance if they are
- a parolee (i.e., paroled into the United States temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit),
- an asylee that has not sought adjustment to lawful permanent resident status, or
- a refugee that has not sought adjustment to lawful permanent resident status.



