Gallego Calls FEMA Shelter Funding Distribution ‘Misguided,’ Requests the Agency Support Border Communities

PHOENIX, AZ – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell urging the agency to reconsider its funding allocations for the Shelter Services Program (SSP) to better support Arizona’s border communities.

The SSP was funded as part of the FY23 Consolidated Appropriations Act to provide shelter and related services to non-citizen migrants released from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody.

The letter states: “Unfortunately, in a departure from Congressional intent and breaking with historic allocation decisions, DHS has increased funding for interior cities under SSP at the expense of border communities. This funding shift has resulted in a much larger share being allocated to non-border states, leaving cities, counties, and non-profits in Arizona short on the resources they need to both adequately respond to border crossings and continue to provide services to residents.”

FEMA’s decision to allocate SSP funds away from Arizona’s border communities and instead toward non-border entities leaves the state’s cities, counties, and non-profits at risk, undermining their ability to respond to border crossings safely and effectively.

“However, you now have an opportunity to support border communities through the reserved second round of funding scheduled to be distributed later this summer. I request your full and fair consideration towards revisiting the misguided distributions in the first round of funding allocations in recognition of the vital role that border states play in our immigration system,” the letter concludes.

Rep. Gallego’s letter to FEMA follows a series of letters he sent earlier this year ahead of the expiration of Title 42. After communicating with Arizona border leaders, Rep. Gallego sent four letters to Biden administration officials and Congress requesting specific resources these communities need to reduce the burden lifting Title 42 will have on them and their residents.

As Arizona’s frontline border communities deal with a possible surge in the coming days, weeks, and months, Rep. Gallego will continue working to get these towns and counties the resources they need to manage the flow of arrivals.