HB1748, titled the “FEMA for America First Act of 2025,” would amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to restrict certain FEMA disaster assistance to “qualified aliens” only. Under the bill, aliens who are not qualified aliens would be ineligible for individual assistance provided under the Stafford Act, even if they otherwise meet the program’s eligibility requirements. The bill also defines “qualified alien” by reference to existing immigration law, while carving out certain categories from that definition, including asylum recipients who have not yet adjusted status, refugees who have not yet adjusted status, and parolees.
In practical terms, the bill would narrow access to federal disaster aid for some noncitizens after major disasters and emergencies. It would amend Title IV of the Stafford Act by adding a new eligibility section, thereby changing who may receive individual assistance from FEMA and potentially affecting disaster survivors, state and local emergency response coordination, and the administration of federal relief programs.
Impact
The bill would directly amend the Stafford Act, a key federal disaster-relief statute, by adding a new alien-eligibility restriction for individual assistance. It would not appear to change state law directly, but it would alter the rules governing federal disaster aid administered in states and territories, affecting noncitizen disaster survivors and the agencies that process claims. The measure would likely require FEMA and related administrators to verify immigration status more narrowly for certain assistance programs.
Sentiment
There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so overall sentiment cannot be measured from formal action. The bill’s title and text suggest a policy direction favoring tighter eligibility limits and an “America First” framing, which typically signals support among sponsors for restricting benefits to certain noncitizens. Because no transcripts or votes are available, there is no documented bipartisan support or opposition in the record provided.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the exclusion of asylum seekers, refugees, and parolees who have not adjusted to lawful permanent resident status, since those groups are specifically carved out of the bill’s definition of “qualified alien.” Supporters would likely argue the bill ensures disaster aid is reserved for lawful residents and citizens, while opponents would likely argue that disaster assistance should be based on need rather than immigration status and that the bill could leave vulnerable disaster survivors without help. No specific objections or endorsements are recorded in the provided committee materials.
America First ActThis bill limits the eligibility of certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) for various federal benefits and grants, makes permanent the child tax credit increase, and requires individuals to provide evidence of satisfactory immigration status prior to receiving specified benefits.The bill prohibits asylees, parolees, and individuals withheld from removal from receiving certain federal benefits, including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income. The bill further restricts on the basis of immigration status benefits under federal health programs such as Medicare, emergency disaster relief, housing assistance, food assistance, early childhood assistance, student aid, and Community Development Block Grants.The bill also makes permanent the increase in the child tax credit set to expire at the end of 2025. In addition, this tax credit and the earned income tax credit are not available to asylees, parolees, individuals granted temporary protected status, individuals withheld from removal, individuals granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status, and non-U.S. nationals with employment-based immigrant visas.Federal aid is reduced for elementary and secondary education by 50% annually to jurisdictions that do not assist federal immigration enforcement actions (deemed sanctuary jurisdictions under the bill).The bill also removes statutory exemptions for Haitian entrants that allows such entrants to receive various aid.Certain benefits are prohibited, including Medicaid and SNAP, until an applicant’s satisfactory immigration status is proved.The bill prohibits tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from using federal funds to support certain non-U.S. nationals.