Plain English
GovGreed Synthesis ·
FEMA for America First Act of 2025 This bill restricts the eligibility of non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) for federal disaster assistance benefits by eliminating eligibility for individuals with certain immigration statuses. Under current law, a non-U.S. national must have one of several specific immigration statuses (e.g., lawful permanent resident, parolee, or refugee) to be eligible for federal disaster assistance provided to individuals (e.g., the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Individuals and Households Program or disaster unemployment assistance). The bill narrows the immigration statuses eligible for disaster assistance to individuals by making non-U.S. nationals ineligible for such assistance if they are a parolee (i.e., paroled into the United States temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit), an asylee that has not sought adjustment to lawful permanent resident status, or a refugee that has not sought adjustment to lawful permanent resident status.
Market Impact Map
Action Timeline
2025-02-27
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
2025-02-27
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
2025-02-27
Introduced in House
2025-02-27
Introduced in House
Full Bill Text
119 HR 1748 IH: FEMA for America First Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-02-27 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1748 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 27, 2025 Mr. Steube (for himself, Mr. Weber of Texas , and Ms. Boebert ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide that aliens who are not qualified aliens are ineligible for certain assistance, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the FEMA for America First Act of 2025 . 2. Eligibility of aliens for assistance Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 431. Eligibility of aliens for assistance (a) In general With respect to an alien otherwise eligible for any assistance provided to individuals under this Act, only a qualified alien shall be eligible for such assistance. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) In general Except as otherwise provided, the terms used have the same meaning given such terms in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a) ). (2) Qualified alien The term qualified alien has the meaning given such term in section 431 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 ( 8 U.S.C. 1641 ), except that such term does not include— (A) an alien who— (i) is granted asylum under section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1158 ); and (ii) has not sought adjustment to the status of alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence under section 209(b) of such Act; (B) a refugee who— (i) is admitted to the United States under section 207 of such Act; and (ii) has not sought adjustment to the status of alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence under section 209(a) of such Act; or (C) an alien who is paroled into the United States under section 212(d)(5) of such Act. .
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