This bill restricts FEMA disaster assistance eligibility for certain immigrants. It makes parolees, asylees who have not applied for permanent residency, and refugees who have not applied for permanent residency ineligible for individual disaster assistance programs like temporary housing and unemployment benefits.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill restricts FEMA disaster assistance eligibility for certain immigrants. It makes parolees, asylees who have not applied for permanent residency, and refugees who have not applied for permanent residency ineligible for individual disaster assistance programs like temporary housing and unemployment benefits.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>FEMA for America First Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill restricts the eligibility of non-U.S. nationals (<em>aliens</em> under federal law) for federal disaster assistance benefits by eliminating eligibility for individuals with certain immigration statuses. </p><p>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).</p><p>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</p><ul><li>a parolee (i.e., paroled into the United States temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit), </li><li>an asylee that has not sought adjustment to lawful permanent resident status, or </li><li>a refugee that has not sought adjustment to lawful permanent resident status.</li></ul>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Restricts immigrant eligibility for FEMA assistance
Excludes parolees from disaster benefits
Excludes asylees not seeking permanent residency
Excludes refugees not seeking permanent residency
Limits individuals and households program access
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Some immigrants legally in the U.S. would lose access to disaster assistance. This could affect families in disaster areas who are parolees or have not applied for permanent status. The bill narrows current eligibility that includes several immigration categories.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Emergency Management
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
1748, 119th Congress (2025). "FEMA for America First Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1748
