FEMA for America First Act of 2025

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.