The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the allocation of over $12.2 million in grants aimed at assisting communities that host migrants. These funds are an extension of previous grants disbursed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as part of the Shelter and Services Program (SSP).
Authorized by Congress, SSP was designed to aid communities dealing with migrants who are awaiting the outcome of their immigration proceedings. The most recent funding adds to the $290 million distributed in June and $77 million allocated in August, bringing the total funds for this year to more than $790 million. The grants will be distributed to 35 eligible recipients, covering both communities along the Southwest Border and within the nation's interior.
In a historical context, the announcement highlighted that federal funding had not previously been designated specifically for communities hosting migrants. This altered with the signing of the Bipartisan Year-End Omnibus by President Biden in December, which officially authorized the SSP grant program.
Last month, based on stakeholder input, DHS adjusted the program's guidelines. The revisions included increasing the cap on hotel/motel and airfare costs to 10% of the total grant funding requested by applicants. Furthermore, recipients now have the option to apply for a waiver on these spending caps, provided they can demonstrate a compelling operational need.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas stated that the DHS has fully allocated its budget for SSP for the Fiscal Year 2023 and called on lawmakers to approve an additional $600 million for SSP in the FY23 budget supplemental. Mayorkas emphasized the ongoing need for support to communities hosting migrants, saying, "SSP grants have provided critical support to communities receiving migrants and the need for this support is ongoing."
The department's request for additional funding comes as communities across the country continue to face challenges in providing services and resources to migrants. Mayorkas urged lawmakers to act on DHS's request to ensure that border and interior communities receiving migrants receive the necessary support.
The allocation of these grants reflects the government's commitment to addressing the needs of communities hosting migrants and underscores the ongoing challenges faced by these communities.
