Schumer blasts Trump officials: Diverting FEMA money to border 'backwards and cruel'

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerMcConnell pushes vaccines, but GOP muddles his message Biden administration stokes frustration over Canada Schumer blasts McCarthy for picking people who 'supported the big lie' for Jan. 6 panel MORE (D-N.Y.) blasted the Trump administration on Tuesday over its decision to pull money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies to put toward immigration enforcement efforts.

 

“The Trump administration’s plan to divert money away from FEMA at the start of hurricane season to continue its efforts to separate and jail migrant families is backwards and cruel," Schumer said in a statement.

 

"Taking these critical funds from disaster preparedness and recovery efforts threatens lives and weakens the government’s ability to help Americans in the wake of natural disasters," he continued. "Congress appropriated these funds to meet the American peoples’ priorities and I strongly oppose this effort to undermine our constitutional authority."

 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Tuesday that it will reprogram $271 million to expand its immigration detention capacity and fund a program to return Central American migrants to Mexico.

 

Of the total DHS funding reallocation, $116 million will go toward single adult detention beds, while $155 million will be used to cater to the Migrant Protection Protocols program.

 

In addition to FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, money will be taken from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration.

 

The decision comes as Tropical Storm Dorian is nearing Puerto Rico and could strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the island.

 

The move has sparked backlash from congressional Democrats who ripped the administration's response to Hurricane Maria, which ravaged the U.S. territory in 2017.

 

In addition to Schumer, Sen. Jeff MerkleyJeff MerkleyBipartisan congressional commission urges IOC to postpone, relocate Beijing Games Lawmakers urge Biden to make 'bold decisions' in nuclear review This week: Senate faces infrastructure squeeze MORE (D-Ore.) said the decision by the administration to reallocate funds is "déjà vu all over again."

 

"President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump hails Arizona Senate for audit at Phoenix rally, slams governor Arkansas governor says it's 'disappointing' vaccinations have become 'political' Watch live: Trump attends rally in Phoenix MORE and his administration are not just endangering the lives of the children and families they seek to harm in the name of deterrence. By shortchanging preparedness, they’re endangering the lives of millions of Americans who live in hurricane zones as well," he added.

 

House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-AllardLucille Roybal-AllardHouse lawmakers propose major budget increase for key cyber agency Biden official defends Trump-era immigration policy Top border officials defend Biden policies MORE (D-Calif.) also said in a letter to DHS, dated Friday, that the department had "provided no substantiation for a claim that this transfer is necessary."

 

A spokesperson for FEMA said the transfer would leave a balance of $447 million in the FEMA disaster relief funds base account.