FEMA gave $20 MILLION to San Diego to open welcome center for illegal immigrants

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) gave around $20 million in order to open a welcome center in San Diego, California for illegal immigrants coming into the country. The unearthed report comes as the agency is running short on funding for the rest of hurricane season after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, which has taken the lives of at least 160 people.

According to NBC7, FEMA shelled out $19.6 million in order to pay for an illegal immigrant transition center in the blue city. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of accepting the grant in May.



In the San Diego County meeting agenda at the time, the outline stated that the county became "an eligible applicant for an award of up to $19,592,554 in FY 2024['s]" shelter and services program funding. This was part of the revealed $640 million in grants from FEMA that were made available in April for shelter programs for illegal immigrants coming into the country across different states. The agenda summary added that the funding would be used "for a long-term migrant transfer site and respite shelter."

The revelation comes as many have laid into the Biden-Harris administration for the level of assistance to help with the damage that has occurred in states like Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina from Hurricane Helene. Families have been told that for emergency supplies like food, water, and baby formula, the feds will only give out $750 to those affected by the storm. FEMA will also be providing more funds to help with home repairs and other necessities for those who qualify, per a statement from the White House.

However, on Wednesday, after Helene devastated portions of the southeastern United States, Mayorkas told reporters, “We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have. We are expecting another hurricane hitting,” adding that “FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season."

The statement drew harsh ire from many since millions in FEMA funding has gone to help illegal immigrants in San Diego and other locations.

Many have slammed the Biden-Harris admiration for not acting quickly enough in the face of the natural disaster. As the hurricane made landfall last Friday, Kamala Harris was on her way to the western US for campaign fundraising events and Joe Biden was at his home in Delaware as the hurricane ripped through the region over the weekend.