The Trump administration is reviewing immigrant shelters that received taxpayer funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, citing concerns that operators have illegally promoted the country's illegal immigration crisis, according to a letter Tuesday. Associated Press.
The letter, written by Cameron Hamilton, representative manager of FEMA, said the Department of Homeland Security had “serious concerns” that the agency's shelter subsidies support illegal activities.
“Maybe even funding illegal activities.”
Hamilton provided grants for FEMA shelter and service programs, providing 30 days to take over contact information for foreigners who received the service and a “detailed and explained list of specific services provided.”
The administration is withholding grants during the review period, Hamilton noted. In 2024, FEMA's Shelter and Services Program distributed $641 million in taxpayer funds to address the country's illegal immigration crisis under the previous administration.
The letter did not mention the possibility of criminal prosecution. However, it was questionable whether the shelter provider had violated it. US Criminal Code Section 1324“A felony offence that prohibits smuggling of aliens, domestic transport of fraudulent aliens, hiding or embracing them, encouraging or guiding them to enter the United States, or promoting or disposing of conspiracy or assistance in advance of conduct or abolishing them.
It also prohibits “even designated ports of entry that are somehow bringing or trying to bring in fraudulent aliens in some way.”
In February Court filingHamilton said DHS is “reviewing a variety of grant programs to ensure compliance with all grant conditions.”
He said DHS officials are concerned that the grant program could distribute funds to “entities that violate applicable federal law” and “probably even funding illegal activities.”
For example, Hamilton said funds were provided to support illegal aliens housed at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, where members of the Tren de Aragua gang are known to reside.
“I am concerned that any entity receiving payment under this program may be guilty of encouraging or guiding aliens who come, break into, or resident in the United States in violation of the law. We respect these laws,” Hamilton said.
“In that face, the program funds shelter and transport for unauthorized aliens, and the previous Inspector General Report concluded that the Department of Homeland Security grantees will use funds from similar programs to serve secret aliens who have never met the department,” he added.
Another Wednesday report from New York Post The administration has announced it has launched a criminal investigation into at least two hotels in New York City residential foreigners, including the Roosevelt Hotel, which is scheduled to close in the coming months.
FEMA did not respond to AP's request for comment.
The Roosevelt Hotel did not answer the call for the post.
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