Payback plan for migrant aid stalls
As deadline looms, prospects dim for cities seeking fed cash
WASHINGTON — Cities and nonprofits on the verge of finally getting federal reimbursement for providing humanitarian assistance to migrants found out Friday they may have to wait some more — and that there may not be enough money to go around.
“They are not going to meet the deadline. I can tell you that right now,” said U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “The best thing that cities, counties and nonprofits can do right now is pull all their receipts together and get ready.”
On July 1, President Donald Trump signed a $4.5 billion spending package to address the influx of migrants from Central America and elsewhere. The legislation included $30 million to repay cities and humanitarian groups for providing shelter, food and other services.
The bill said the funds were to be disbursed within 30 days, which would be by July 31, but Cuellar said Friday that based on what he has learned from discussions with FEMA officials, cities and nonprofits should expect delays.
A FEMA spokesman indicated that the agency expected to issue a notice regarding the funding “within 30 days,” which would be mid-August, and that it would be
gin to distribute the money “shortly thereafter.”
“We are not able to answer specific questions or provide an exact timeline,” the spokesman said.
Later Friday, a different FEMA spokesman said the agency would accept applications for reimbursement starting July 31. He offered no further details.
Too few dollars
In addition to the confusion about timing, officials are concerned that $30 million won’t be enough to make cities and humanitarian groups whole for the costs they have incurred.
Cuellar, a senior members of the House Appropriations Committee, has championed reimbursement for local governments and nonprofits since the migrant surge began five years ago. He helped orchestrate $60 million in reimbursement in legislation that passed the House; the amount was slashed in half by the GOP-controlled Senate.
The bill originally provided money just for the border states of Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona. It was revised late in congressional negotiations to allow reimbursement anywhere in the country where migrants ended up. The legislation provides reimbursements for expenses incurred since Jan. 1.
“We’re probably not going to have enough money for everybody,” said Cuellar, adding that he is working on getting more reimbursement funds in a future appropriation.
The money is important to several cities in Texas, including San Antonio, which assisted 23,816 people with overnight accommodations, medical needs, telephones and toys for children from March 30 through July 10, according to the city.
More than 54,000 meals were served, and city staff worked more than 16,000 hours. During that period, the city spent $240,000 and costs continue to mount. The center services between 175 and 225 people daily.
Heavy burdens
San Antonio Assistant City Manager Colleen Bridger said the enterprise, which also depends on volunteers, has been a significant financial challenge.
“We literally emptied out our contingency fund for the entire city for the remainder of the fiscal year. Heaven forbid that we have some other emergency,” she said.
Others, too, have assumed heavy burdens. Through mid-June, Catholic Charities in San Antonio had spent $444,000 in cash and in-kind services. The San Antonio Food Bank spent more than $400,000.
With the reimbursement process still unclear, Bridger said she hopes the city will be able to make submissions both for its costs and those of the nonprofits.
Also at issue is precisely what expenses will be covered. On that point, the legislation is vague. It states that the money must be disbursed in parts of the country “that have experienced a significant influx” of migrants, and that local governments and nonprofits will be paid back “for costs incurred in providing services.”
Unlike an earlier federal reimbursement plan operated through states, the $30 million will be distributed by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board, which is chaired by FEMA. The board includes representatives of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, United Way Worldwide and others.