In this Morning Wire episode, discussions center on the financial strain caused by the influx of immigrants on federal disaster relief funds and the impact on housing costs. The episode details how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has diverted over $1 billion meant for natural disasters to aid non-citizens, straining resources for events like Hurricane Helene.
The episode also examines concerns surrounding the Dentsu Coalition, a potential successor to GARM. Critics warn the coalition, led by a Japanese PR firm, could influence news content and narratives through its advertising power, raising First Amendment issues over foreign entities dictating what U.S. news outlets can report.
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According to America First Legal's review, the influx of immigrants since 2020 has drained over $1 billion from FEMA's emergency funds meant for natural disasters. Specifically, $650 million from FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program was used for non-citizens this year alone, while another $685 million was expended from 2021-2023 on non-citizens through a separate FEMA program.
During a vice-presidential debate, JD Vance blamed 25 million illegal immigrants for driving up home prices by competing with Americans for limited housing. He cited Federal Reserve official Michelle Bowman and a 2024 Congressional Budget Office study asserting immigration increases state and local expenditures on housing more than revenues, suggesting a correlation between immigration and rising housing costs.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has warned that FEMA's resources are stretched thin, expressing concern over the agency's ability to provide sufficient aid for Hurricane Helene and potential future storms this hurricane season.
While Hurricane Helene's recovery could cost $160 billion, according to AccuWeather estimates, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has criticized FEMA for diverting limited funds to resettle non-citizens instead of assisting American citizens impacted by the disaster.
The Dentsu Coalition, led by the Japanese PR firm Dentsu, has emerged as a potential successor to the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), raising concerns over potential censorship efforts in media and advertising.
The stated aim of the Dentsu Coalition is to "boost credible news" by leveraging the advertising industry's collective power. However, Congressman Jim Jordan has warned this could threaten the First Amendment, with foreign entities dictating what U.S. news outlets can report.
Like GARM, the Dentsu Coalition has been criticized for potentially using partisan news-rating credibility firms, leading to the promotion or demotion of outlets based on partisan considerations rather than journalistic integrity.
1-Page Summary
The United States is grappling with significant financial and economic challenges attributed to immigration, which includes strain on federal resources like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the escalation of housing costs for Americans.
The influx of immigrants, particularly since 2020, has led to a diversion of FEMA’s resources, which traditionally focus on responding to natural disasters.
America First Legal reviewed data that shows the cost to support non-citizens has topped $1 billion over the last two years. Specifically, FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program has used $650 million in this year alone to support non-citizens. Additionally, a separate FEMA program for emergency food and shelter has expended approximately $685 million from 2021 through 2023 on non-citizens. This unprecedented level of immigration has created a financial strain and raised questions about federal emergency fund allocation, especially in light of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene that require an effective response.
A recent Federal Reserve study and comments from federal officials have hinted at immigration’s impact on housing costs. During a vice-presidential debate, JD Vance blamed increased immigration for driving up housing prices, contending that 25 milli ...
The financial and economic impacts of immigration, including strain on FEMA funding and increased housing prices
In the Southeast, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has led to a significant challenge. FEMA's disaster relief funds are being depleted rapidly, putting a strain on the agency's ability to provide necessary aid.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has expressed grave concern about the state of FEMA's finances. Mayorkas has warned that FEMA's resources are stretched thin—a situation that's particularly worrying with the hurricane season still ongoing.
Mayorkas highlighted that while the costs associated with Hurricane Helene are covered for now, the FEMA funds may not be sufficient to last through the hurricane season if additional federal assistance is required for another storm.
Disaster response and FEMA funding challenges, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Concerns are rising within the media and advertising industry over potential censorship efforts through the emergence of new coalitions, such as the Dentsu Coalition, a potential successor to the controversial Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM).
Dentsu, a Japanese PR firm instrumental in GARM, has formed a group called the Dentsu Coalition. The stated aim of this group is to boost what it considers "credible news" and ensure that journalism thrives, leveraging the collective power of the advertising industry. This intention raises red flags about the coalition's potential to control the narrative and content of news coverage through industry influence, especially given the international nature of the firm.
There are apprehensions around the scope of impact such coalitions could have on news reporting. The concern is especially regarding the input of international firms on domestic content, which might undermine the editorial independence and narrative of news outlets due to corporate or economic pressure.
Congressman Jim Jordan has vocaliz ...
Potential media/advertising censorship efforts through the formation of new coalitions like the Dentsu Coalition
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