Yael Schacher, director of the Americas and Europe at Refugees International, agreed that Musk is likely referring to the Shelter and Services Program and said there is “no substance” to his claim that money for disaster victims is being given to migrants, as each fund is appropriated separately by Congress.
Four federal employees — FEMA’s chief financial officer, two program analysts and a grant specialist — were fired Tuesday over the payments to reimburse New York City, Department of Homeland Security officials said.
She continued: “Congress has specifically set aside funding for FEMA to administer the Shelter and Services Program, ensuring that it does not pull any resources from FEMA’s other work.”.
The claim, which has spread widely on social media, led FEMA's acting director to suspend payments sent to house migrants in New York City and the firing Tuesday of four federal employees.
Congress has authorized 140 times more funding for the Disaster Relief Fund than the Shelter and Services Program, according to the American Immigration Council.
