Several disaster-assistance groups, #FEMA employees & #emergency management experts said the new requirements in the dept’s fiscal 2025 #aid contracts would make it harder for #nonprofits to help the most vulnerable Americans in the aftermath of a #disaster. Some members of the national volunteer disaster group network also questioned whether the new requirements are #constitutional & point out that they seem to violate local & state laws that prevent asking about a person’s #immigration status.
By accepting the #federal #grants & awards, the new documents state, volunteer organizations that help after #disasters must agree to not “operate any program that benefits illegal immigrants or incentivizes illegal #immigration.”
That could put groups that provide #food, #housing, #MentalHealth support & other assistance in disaster-stricken #states in the position of having to verify #aid recipients #legal status before providing assistance, experts said.