Nogales, Arizona — The issue of diverting hurricane and disaster relief funds to subsidize the care of migrants crossing the southern border has been a topic of controversy recently. In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Troy Miller, the top Customs and Border Protection official, vehemently denied these claims and stated that the U.S. government is “absolutely not” using FEMA’s disaster response funding for migrant care.
Miller, a seasoned career official who has been leading CBP since 2022, addressed the false assertions made by former President Donald Trump and other Republicans regarding the alleged impact of federal disaster aid on the government program that reimburses organizations assisting migrants processed at the U.S.-Mexico border. This program, known as the Shelter and Services Program, is a joint initiative by CBP and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Despite the inaccurate claims circulating about the Biden administration diverting FEMA’s disaster response funds towards migrant care, Miller clarified that the Shelter and Services Program is independently funded by Congress and has no association with disaster relief funds. When asked directly if any disaster recovery funds were being redirected towards the migrant care program, Miller firmly stated, “None.”
In addition to dispelling these rumors, Miller highlighted CBP’s involvement in search-and-rescue operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton in Florida. With a significant presence in the state, CBP’s employees from various branches, including U.S. Border Patrol, the Office of Field Operations, and Air and Marine Operations, were prepared to assist those affected by the destructive storm.
“The search-and-rescue teams are ready to surge into specific locations, get as close to the storm as possible, and respond to requests for rescue,” Miller explained.
The spread of false information about FEMA’s disaster response funding gained momentum following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, particularly in western North Carolina. During a rally in Michigan, Trump accused the Biden administration of misappropriating FEMA funds for immigration purposes, likening it to theft from a bank to support illegal immigrants.
Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, also attempted to connect the effectiveness of the federal government’s response to hurricanes with the migrant care reimbursement funds. In an interview with Fox News, Vance criticized the administration for allegedly transforming FEMA into an agency focused on resettling and addressing illegal immigration.
It is crucial to note that the FEMA and CBP migrant care fund is a program established by Congress, not the Biden administration. The allocation of funds for this purpose began in fiscal year 2019 during the Trump administration, underscoring the bipartisan nature of the initiative.
As the debate surrounding the allocation of funds continues, it is essential to separate fact from fiction and understand the intricacies of government programs and funding mechanisms. The collaboration between CBP and FEMA in providing assistance to migrants and responding to natural disasters reflects the government’s multifaceted responsibilities in addressing various challenges facing the nation.
