#migrant shelter and services program

[tearsofrefugees]

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

October 4, 2024 (Friday)

MAGA Republicans are now lying about the federal response to Hurricane Helene in much the same way they lied about Haitian migrants bringing chaos and disease to Springfield, Ohio. Both disinformation efforts are flat-out lies, and both are designed to demonize immigrants. Immigration was the issue Trump was so eager to run on that he demanded Republican lawmakers reject the strong border bill a bipartisan group of lawmakers had hammered out.

The federal response to Hurricane Helene has drawn bipartisan praise, with Republican governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina thanking Biden by name for what McMaster called a “superb” response.

But on Sunday, September 29, two days after the hurricane hit, the right-wing organization started by anti-immigrant Trump loyalist Stephen Miller posted: “Billions for Ukraine. Billions for illegal aliens. And what for the Americans? Reprogram every single dollar that FEMA has dedicated to support illegal aliens to go towards Americans who are facing unprecedented devastation!”

Yesterday, in Saginaw, Michigan, Trump echoed Miller, claiming that the Biden administration is botching the hurricane response because it has spent all the money appropriated for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on “illegal immigrants.” “They spent it all on illegal migrants.… They stole the FEMA money just like they stole it from a bank, so they could give it to their illegal immigrants that they want to have vote for them,” he said. Today, he claimed that “a billion dollars was stolen from FEMA to use it for illegal migrants, many of whom are criminals, to come into our country.”

Early this morning, X owner Elon Musk posted to his more than 200 million followers: “Yes, they are literally using YOUR tax dollars to import voters and disenfranchise you! It is happening right in front of your eyes. And FEMA used up its budget ferrying illegals into the country instead of saving American lives. Treason.” On Wednesday, Dana Mattioli, Joe Palazzolo, and Khadeeja Safdar of the Wall Street Journal broke the story that Musk has been financing groups with ties to Miller since 2022.

But of course, it is NOT happening in front of anyone’s eyes.

On Wednesday, Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in which FEMA is housed, told reporters that FEMA’s disaster relief fund is adequately funded for current needs. But, he warned, “extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity,” and we are not yet out of hurricane season. If another emergency hits, FEMA’s disaster relief fund will be stretched thin.

Congress also appropriated money for a different fund, the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which is part of Customs and Border Protection but is administered by FEMA. Established under the Trump administration in 2019, SSP gives grants to states and local governments to provide shelter, food, and transportation to undocumented immigrants. After Trump’s accusation, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement: “These claims are completely false. As Secretary Mayorkas said, FEMA has the necessary resources to meet the immediate needs associated with Hurricane Helene and other disasters. The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a completely separate, appropriated grant program that was authorized and funded by Congress and is not associated in any way with FEMA’s disaster-related authorities or funding streams.”

Glenn Kessler of the Washington Post did not leave the story there. “Trump has a habit of assuming other politicians act in the same way as he would,” Kessler wrote. So he looked into why Trump would have accused Biden “of raiding the FEMA disaster fund to handle undocumented migrants. It turns out that’s because he did this.”

In the middle of hurricane season in 2019, Kessler explains, Trump took $155 million from the FEMA disaster fund and redirected it to pay for detention space and temporary hearing locations for immigrants seeking asylum. “No, Biden didn’t take FEMA relief money to use on migrants,” the article title reads, “but Trump did.”

As in Springfield, a bipartisan group of lawmakers are begging MAGAs to stop the disinformation, which is keeping people from accessing the help they need and gumming up relief efforts as workers and local and state governments, as well as FEMA, have to waste time combating lies. Scammers and political extremists are making things worse by spreading AI-generated images and claiming that the federal government is ignoring the people and emergencies the images depict.

MAGA Republicans launched another major disinformation campaign today when the Bureau of Labor Statistics released another blockbuster jobs report. It showed that the country added about 254,000 jobs in September, far higher than the 140,000 jobs economists expected. It also revised the job numbers for July and August upward. The unemployment rate dropped from 4.2% in August to 4.1%, and wages have outpaced inflation.

Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics, wrote that the jobs report “cements my view that the economy is about as good as it gets. The economy is creating lots of jobs across many industries, consistent with robust labor force growth, and thus low and stable unemployment. The economy is at full-employment, no more and no less. Wage growth is strong, and given big productivity gains, it is consistent with low and stable inflation. One couldn’t paint a prettier picture of the job market and broader economy.”

Yet MAGA Republicans deny that the economy is strong. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) openly called the jobs report fake. And when a reporter asked Trump, “Jobs are up, the stock market hit that all-time high. Do you acknowledge that the economy is improving?” he answered: “No it’s not.”

But, apparently stung, this afternoon Trump posted on his social media site what appeared to be an announcement. After an emoji of a flashing red light, a headline read, “New: Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has endorsed Trump for President.” A representative for Dimon instantly denied such an endorsement, saying it is false. According to a spokesperson for JP Morgan, Dimon has neither contributed money nor endorsed Trump, or anyone else, in the 2024 presidential race. But Trump has not taken the post down.

Hugo Lowell of The Guardian notes that Trump has admired Dimon for a long time and likely craves his support. Trump has been unable to attract major endorsements, while celebrities throw their influence behind Harris and Minnesota governor Tim Walz almost daily. Yesterday, musician Bruce Springsteen endorsed Harris. Today, businessman and former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. endorsed her.

The firehose of lies is designed to make it impossible for voters to figure out the truth. The technique is designed so that eventually voters give up trying to engage, conclude everyone is lying, throw up their hands, and stop voting. Holding on to facts combats the effects of the storm of lies.

Finally, tonight, the X account of Trump’s team and the Republican National Committee—now run by the Trump family and loyalists—showed a clip of Biden unexpectedly entering the White House briefing room today, joking with reporters, and saying, “Welcome to the swimming pool.” Referring to “Biden (or whatever’s left of him),” the post suggested his “swimming pool” reference was a sign of mental incapacity.

In fact, the briefing room was indeed originally a swimming pool. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt added the pool to the White House in 1933 after he found swimming helped to keep him in shape after his 1921 bout with polio. Presidents Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy (who had a mural by Bernard Lamotte installed around it), and Lyndon B. Johnson used the pool frequently. Richard Nixon did not. In 1970, Nixon had the pool covered and the space converted into the White House Press Room.

Nixon ordered the change made in such a way that it could be easily undone in case he got pushback for covering up FDR’s pool, but his successor, Gerald Ford, who was an avid swimmer, largely ended the conversation when he added a new outdoor pool to the White House complex in 1975.

Biden’s reference to the press room as a swimming pool was a historical joke rather than a sign of mental incapacity. This lie deserves the same scrutiny as the other whoppers from today, though, because as Glenn Kessler accurately observed, Trump’s common pattern is projection.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[darkeagleruins]

Anyways, FEMA says they’re out of money. Also here’s a $107 million FEMA grant to New York for assistance to illegal immigrants.

Federal Emergency Management Agency grant (2023)

Amount: $106,879,743

Recipient: New York City Office Of Management & Budget

Purpose: Shelter and services program (migrant assistance)

[beardedmrbean]

A group of migrants are refusing to leave an encampment in Denver until the city meets a list of 13 demands.

The demands were sent to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston following a petition by city officials to move the group from the encampment to indoor shelters funded by the city, local TV station KDVR reported. The encampment is under a bridge and near train tracks.

The group said if its demands are met, it will leave the encampment and move to a city shelter. The demands include providing "fresh" and "culturally appropriate" ingredients to cook with, shower access with no time limits, medical visits and housing support.

Newsweek has contacted via email the mayor's office for comment.

The group's complete demands are as follows:

The migrants should be allowed to "cook their own food with fresh, culturally appropriate ingredients," including rice, chicken, flour, tomatoes and onions, instead of being served premade meals. They also want to ensure people are not punished for bringing and eating food from outside the shelters.

Have access to showers at all times and without time limits.

Visits by medical professionals will occur on a regular basis, with referrals for specialty care made as needed.

The group will receive the same housing support offered to others, and city officials will not "kick people out in 30 days without something stable established."

A "clear" and "just" process for removing someone, including verbal, written and final warnings.

Employment support, including work permit applications for those who qualify.

Free consultations with an immigration lawyer, as well as ongoing legal support provided by the city through immigration clinics and transportation to court.

Privacy for families in the shelter.

No verbal, physical or mental abuse by shelter staff and no 24/7 monitoring by law enforcement.

Transportation for children to and from school.

No separation of families, regardless of whether those families have children.

A meeting with the mayor and those involved in running the city's program to support migrants "to discuss further improvements."

All shelter residents will be provided with a document signed by a city official in English and Spanish and containing the list of demands and a number to call to report violations.

Jon Ewing, a spokesman for Denver Human Services, told KDVR that the city is "just trying to get families to leave that camp and come inside."

The city's offer will give families "three square meals a day," and they can cook their own meals if they wish, he said. He also said that the city will try to compromise and determine what assistance the migrants qualify for.

"What might be something that is a feasible path for you to success that is not staying on the streets of Denver?" he said. "We try to figure something out.... At the end of the day, what we do not want is families on the streets of Denver."

Denver is among the U.S. cities that have struggled to manage the rising number of migrants that have been transported from Texas and other states. Last month, Johnston announced the creation of the Denver Asylum Seekers Program, which his office billed as a sustainable response to the city's migrant crisis.

The program will place asylum seekers in apartments for up to six months and provide job and skills training, food assistance and free legal help with asylum applications.

However, the program is limited to those who were in the city's shelters on April 10 and capped at about 1,000 people. Those who arrived in Denver after April 10 will be provided with a short-term stay at a shelter and assistance with onward travel.

Nonprofits are also working to support migrants arriving in Denver and other parts of Colorado. One organization, Hope Has No Borders, is working to pair migrants with host families for short or longer-term stays in Denver and other parts of Colorado.

[the-eternal-quest-for-balance]

“It’s unacceptable for Americans to grapple with the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene while the federal government remains fixated on spending hundreds of millions on a program sheltering illegal immigrants instead of helping our own citizens,” said Representative Nancy Mace.

“Kamala Harris and Alejandro Mayorkas have turned FEMA into a migrant resettlement agency. It’s time to end this mess.”

According to FEMA’s own reports, the Shelter and Services Program allocated $364 million in the 2023 fiscal year and another staggering $650 million for 2024 to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and even hotel accommodations for noncitizen migrants.

[dertaglichedan]

Biden-Harris Admin Used FEMA Disaster Funding For Illegal Immigrants

The Biden-Harris administration took more than a billion tax dollars that had been allocated to the agency responsible for American disaster relief and used it to offer services for illegal immigrants.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated nearly $364 million in the fiscal year 2023 and $650 million for the 2024 fiscal year to the “Shelter and Services Program” “to provide humanitarian services to noncitizen migrants following their release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),” according to the government’s website.

The program is run in cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) “to support CBP in the safe, orderly and humane release of noncitizen migrants from short-term holding facilities,” FEMA’s website reads.

An anonymous X account highlighted the program after MSNBC pundit Michael Steele sought to portray former President Donald Trump as the commander-in-chief who denied Americans full relief from catastrophic weather events.

“In case folks forgot what Trump did to FEMA’s relief fund,” Steele wrote to frame a post about the former president pulling $271 million from DHS to detain migrants. The NBC article featured in Steele’s post said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pulled $155 million directly from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, just a fraction of the resources used by the Biden-Harris administration to care for illegal border crossers.

FEMA’s top priorities under the incumbent administration, meanwhile, do not include disaster relief among the top two goals of the emergency services agency. According to FEMA’s own website, the stated goals include, first, instilling “equity as a foundation of emergency management,” and second, “lead[ing] whole of community in climate resilience.” The goal to “promote and sustain a ready FEMA and prepared nation” ranks third.

Now, residents across the southeastern United States are suffering from the administration’s misplaced priorities, which place “equity” and “climate resilience” ahead of emergency preparedness.

[justbeingnamaste]

The Biden-Harris administration took more than a billion tax dollars that had been allocated to the agency responsible for American disaster relief and used it to offer services for illegal immigrants.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated nearly $364 million in the fiscal year 2023 and $650 million for the 2024 fiscal year to the “Shelter and Services Program” “to provide humanitarian services to noncitizen migrants following their release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),” according to the government’s website.

[cheerfullycatholic]

“Protection of life is from conception to natural death,” she told the newspaper. “And I wasn’t seeing that extended to the migrant, and there had to be a pro-life initiative for a migrant cause.”

Stellar Shelter can house up to 60 women and children. According to the Morning News, they hope to expand soon to include a medical clinic, health care classes and other services.

Breceda said she first began noticing the need for pro-life outreach to immigrants about 11 years ago while volunteering in a health clinic near the Texas-Mexico border. Then, about three years ago, she helped a local Catholic church expand its shelter program for immigrants and decided she wanted to do even more to help, the newspaper reports.

[bllsbailey]

NYC ICE Director Slams City’s Sanctuary Status: ‘It Would Take A Lifetime To Clear The City Of Criminals’

Migrants camp outside a hotel where they had previously been housed, as they resist efforts by the city to relocate them to a Brooklyn facility for asylum seekers, in the Hells Kitchen neighborhood of New York on January 31, 2023.

NYC Immigration Customs Enforcement field office director, Kenneth Genalo, revealed that “In New York City, it would take a lifetime to clear the city of criminals that we have,” in the context of migrant crime.

Over 233,000 migrants now live in New York City following the Biden administration’s immigration crisis.

The city has spent over $5 billion on essential services for migrants like housing, food and medical costs, public services and supplies, as well as administration costs.

At least 58,000 migrants currently live in taxpayer-funded shelters run by the city, and ICE reportedly would not reveal how many migrants living in subsidized shelters were criminals.

“We need additional resources,” Genalo continued in an interview with the New York Post. “The fact is that I have to focus all of my resources on the worst of the worst, the most egregious violations. All I can tell you is we have leads that we work every day – and it’s not in the hundreds.”

Genalo’s comments follow President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in which he announced that “On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America,” although it is currently unclear how Trump’s deportation campaign will interact with NYC as it has sanctuary policies in place.

Genalo added that he is extremely “frustrated” with the city’s sanctuary laws, claiming that “The only people they’re shielding are the criminals, and they’re shielding the criminals from us.”

ICE statistics reveal that as of July 21st, there are 662,586 migrants who have been convicted of felonies or have criminal charges currently pending.

“The majority of these crimes that are being committed are against the most vulnerable people in the community, and that’s the migrant females and the migrant children. I don’t understand how they believe sanctuary policies are helping or assisting,” Genalo stated.

Additionally, Genalo spoke on Mayor Eric Adams’ position, who has been a critic of the Biden administration’s handling of the immigration crisis, previously stating that the issue of migrants flooding in “will destroy New York City.”

Adams also issued support for the city’s sanctuary laws to be loosened, allowing for migrants who are suspected of “serious” crimes to be handed over to ICE agents.

“The mayor knows we need to cooperate,” Genalo added. “He sees what’s going on in New York City, and he wants help from the federal government.”

Additionally, Trump’s new appointed “border czar” Tom Homan, recently stated that federal agents would be going after migrant criminals, regardless of the city or state’s sanctuary status.

“They don’t have to help us, but they need to get the hell out of the way cuz we’re comin, we’re gonna do it. Which means if I gotta send twice as many resources to that sanctuary city, twice as many agents, that’s exactly what I’m going to do,” Homan stated.

“And I’ve been saying for the last several days that they need to study the law,” he added. “They can not help, but don’t impede us, and don’t cross certain lines.”

Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts

[rotibankindias-blog]

Roti Bank in Hyderabad

Exploring the Banking Services of Roti Bank in Hyderabad In a world where access to basic necessities is often a challenge, initiatives that provide not just financial services but also contribute to social welfare stand out. One such innovative initiative is Roti Bank, which has gained significant attention in Hyderabad for its unique approach to addressing hunger while providing banking services. Let’s explore how Roti Bank has carved a niche for itself and is making a difference in the community.

What is Roti Bank?

Roti Bank, although it may sound like a traditional financial institution, is far from conventional. Instead of dealing with currency, savings, or loans, Roti Bank in Hyderabad is a social initiative aimed at alleviating hunger by collecting and distributing food to those in need. The name "Roti Bank" itself is symbolic, as "roti" means bread in Hindi, signifying the basic sustenance that the organization strives to provide to marginalized sections of society.

Roti Bank operates through a network of volunteers, donors, and partner organizations to ensure that surplus food is redistributed to the hungry and underprivileged. The Hyderabad chapter of Roti Bank is one of the key players in ensuring that no one in the city goes to bed hungry.

Banking Services with a Difference: Focus on Food Security

While traditional banks focus on financial services, Roti Bank in Hyderabad provides a unique set of "banking" services aimed at combating hunger. Their activities go beyond just food distribution. The services include:

1. Food Collection & Distribution

Roti Bank has set up systems for collecting surplus food from restaurants, caterers, and private donations. The collected food is then distributed to various shelters, slums, and areas where homeless and economically disadvantaged individuals reside. Volunteers play an essential role in the logistics, ensuring that the food reaches the right hands, and that the quality is maintained.

2. Meal Bank Operations

Similar to the concept of a "savings account" in traditional banks, Roti Bank allows individuals and organizations to donate food in advance, which can be "withdrawn" by the needy whenever they require it. This is a sustainable model that ensures a steady supply of food for those in need without relying solely on last-minute donations.

3. Community Engagement and Awareness

Beyond food collection, Roti Bank in Hyderabad has also developed educational programs and awareness campaigns to engage the community in solving hunger issues. They work with schools, corporate houses, and other civic organizations to spread the message of reducing food waste, encouraging people to donate leftover food, and the importance of food security.

4. Emergency Food Relief

In addition to regular food programs, Roti Bank also provides emergency food relief during times of crisis—whether it’s a natural disaster, a community lockdown, or other disruptions. Their swift response in times of need ensures that those affected by calamities are not left hungry.

Roti Bank’s Approach to Hunger: The Role of Technology

In an age where technology can help revolutionize services, Roti Bank has embraced innovative tools to make food distribution more efficient. The organization utilizes apps and online platforms to facilitate communication between donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries. This allows for real-time tracking of food donations, optimizes the routes for food delivery, and helps the organization manage resources effectively.

In Hyderabad, Roti Bank has a strong digital presence, which not only helps in food coordination but also aids in fundraising and awareness campaigns. The app provides transparency on the food donation process, ensuring that both donors and recipients are kept informed.

The Impact of Roti Bank in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, like many major metropolitan cities, has a large population of economically vulnerable people. From migrant workers to daily wage laborers, the city is home to those who often struggle to afford regular meals. Roti Bank in Hyderabad has made a substantial impact by filling a critical gap in the food distribution chain.

Some of the notable impacts include:

Reducing Food Waste: Roti Bank has helped businesses, hotels, and restaurants redistribute food that would otherwise go to waste. By diverting surplus food to those in need, the initiative has become a sustainability champion in its own right.

Addressing Hunger Among Marginalized Groups: Whether it's homeless individuals, slum residents, or those hit by financial distress, Roti Bank ensures that they receive nutritious meals on a regular basis. This has greatly contributed to food security in Hyderabad.

Community Unity: With over a thousand volunteers working across the city, Roti Bank has fostered a spirit of solidarity and community welfare. The initiative has helped bring together people from different walks of life to work towards a common cause.

Partnerships with Local Authorities: Roti Bank collaborates with the municipal corporations, local police stations, and other civic organizations to ensure a seamless operation. This partnership helps them expand their outreach and operate on a larger scale.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While Roti Bank has been successful in its mission to alleviate hunger in Hyderabad, it faces several challenges. One of the major issues is the increasing demand for food distribution, especially during festivals or adverse weather conditions. Additionally, ensuring food quality and safety during collection, storage, and transportation remains a top priority.

To address these challenges, Roti Bank is looking to expand its operations by partnering with more donors, increasing the number of food collection points, and improving logistics. They are also exploring long-term sustainability through the creation of dedicated food banks and expanding their fundraising capabilities.

How You Can Get Involved

Roti Bank relies heavily on the support of the community to continue its mission. Here’s how you can get involved:

Donate Food: If you run a restaurant or catering service, consider donating surplus food to Roti Bank. Even individuals can contribute leftovers or packaged food that’s still safe to eat.

Volunteer: Whether it’s helping with food collection, distribution, or raising awareness, Roti Bank welcomes volunteers. This is a great way to make a tangible impact in your community.

Monetary Donations: Financial contributions are always welcome to help Roti Bank purchase food supplies, pay for logistics, and run their operations smoothly.

Spread the Word: Share the cause on social media and among your networks. The more people who know about Roti Bank, the more food and resources they can gather to help those in need.

Conclusion

Roti Bank in Hyderabad is not just about food; it’s a movement that highlights how a community can come together to solve critical issues like hunger and food insecurity. By redefining the concept of "banking" to include food distribution and community support, Roti Bank has created a powerful platform for positive social change.

In the long run, the success of Roti Bank may inspire similar initiatives across the country, proving that with collaboration and empathy, we can build a more equitable and compassionate society.

Author

Roti Bank in Hyderabad by [ Roti bank foundation] - A heartfelt narrative exploring the grassroots movement of food donation and hunger alleviation in the bustling city, highlighting the compassion and resilience of its volunteers. 

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Alicia Sadowski and Isabella Corrao at MMFA:

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, right-wing media falsely claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden administration are ignoring millions of Americans impacted by intense flooding. Media personalities and MAGA influencers have falsely and dishonestly claimed that victims are only entitled to $750 in aid, when in reality that is just the start of federal benefits.

FEMA can provide assistance for victims of Hurricane Helene, but chronic underfunding and climate change, not undocumented migrants, threaten future aid availability

In addition to FEMA providing residents of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia with “a one-time $750 payment to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies,” victims can also qualify for “disaster-related financial assistance to repair storm-related damage to homes and replace personal property.” After visiting the wreckage in Georgia, Harris reiterated that “FEMA is also providing tens of thousands more dollars for folks to help them be able to deal with home repair, to be able to cover a deductible when and if they have insurance, and also hotel costs.” [The White House, 10/2/24, 10/2/24]

After President Joe Biden signed a stopgap spending bill in September, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said FEMA can properly respond to Helene recovery efforts. FEMA spokesperson Daniel Llargués said that FEMA is in a “good position” to respond to Hurricane Helene relief efforts after the agency received $20.3 billion under the spending bill. Biden has suggested bringing lawmakers back to Washington to provide additional funding for disaster relief, but Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has claimed “there’s no necessity for Congress to come back”. [The New York Times, 9/26/24, 10/2/24; Roll Call, 10/3/24; FEMA, 10/3/24]

Future concerns for FEMA’s funding are attributable to chronic underfunding by Congress and increased costs associated with extreme weather disturbance as a result of climate change, not aid given to undocumented immigrants. Mayorkas warned that FEMA “does not have the funds to make it through the [hurricane] season.” A DHS spokesperson clarified, however, that aid provided to undocumented immigrants through the Shelter and Services Program is “a completely separate, appropriated grant program that was authorized and funded by Congress and is not associated in any way with FEMA's disaster-related authorities or funding streams." [The Associated Press, 10/3/24; Axios, 7/14/23; Bipartisan Policy Center, 7/23/24; Newsweek, 10/3/24]

Right-wing media have pushed the cartoonishly false claim that Hurricane Helene survivors are only entitled to $750 in aid, when in fact that the $750 is the beginning.

The right-wing noise machine also dishonestly blamed undocumented immigrants by baselessly accusing them of plundering FEMA funding.

[beardedmrbean]

New York City Hall has announced the termination of its prepaid debit card program for migrants.

The program, in place since March, provided debit cards to migrants in city-funded hotels to help cover basic needs but was heavily criticized by conservatives and has been scrapped by New York City officials just two days after Republican Donald Trump was confirmed as president-elect.

The initiative was launched as a temporary support mechanism, part of a one-year pilot program, to help migrants by providing them with limited financial assistance for essentials like food and baby clothing.

So far, more than $3 million has been spent on the program, helping almost 3,000 migrant families living in hotels with limited resources to buy essential supplies. The cards provided about $350 for a family of four.

As the city scales back this direct support, officials say they are exploring alternative ways to assist migrants, though no specific plans have been confirmed.

In a statement emailed to Newsweek on Friday, a New York City Hall spokesperson said: "Through the immediate response cards pilot program, we were able to reduce food waste, redirect millions of dollars to our local economy, and provide more culturally relevant food to more than 2,600 migrant families in our care.

"As we move towards more competitive contracting for asylum seeker programs, we have chosen not to renew the emergency contract for this pilot program once the one-year term concludes.

"For over two years, we have provided care to more than 222,000 migrants while saving $2 billion in asylum seeker-related costs. Thanks to our resettlement efforts, intensive case management, and national-leading Asylum Application Help Center, more than 160,000 migrants have left our shelter system and taken their next steps towards self-sufficiency.

"We will continue to implement and learn from innovative pilot programs like the immediate response cards program as we care for hundreds of new arrivals every week."

The program replaced a boxed-meal delivery service, which is reported to have cost twice as much as the debit-card program, as reported by ABC News. The debit card initiative was also credited with being a way to save money by not providing migrants with food items they would not eat and instead giving them autonomy to choose their products.

Financial tech company Mobility Capital Finance, or MoCaFi, was hired to run the program for a one-year term and receives about $400,000 under the agreement, ABC News reported.

In an emailed statement to Newsweek on Friday, CEO and founder Wole Coaxum said: "MoCaFi is pleased to partner with the City to deliver emergency response efforts for communities in need while streamlining processes for asylum seekers with children.

"Our platform enabled families to access fresh food of their choice from grocery stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, and bodegas. Since the beginning of the year, more than 2,600 families have benefited from our services, while spending several million dollars in the local economy.

"This work aligns with our company's mission to ensure efficient use of tax-payer dollars."

The decision is expected to receive mixed responses from local advocates, community leaders and migrant aid groups. Partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations could provide more targeted aid.

Newsweek contacted migrant support groups in New York City for comment via email on Friday.

New York, as a sanctuary city, has historically embraced policies that aim to protect and support immigrants. However, the scale and speed of recent arrivals have created pressure to find sustainable solutions, with about 700 asylum seekers entering the city each week.

[darkmaga-returns]

By Eric Lendrum

October 15, 2024

Republicans on a top congressional committee have launched an investigation into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over its “priorities” after reports emerged claiming that the agency spent most of its money aiding illegal aliens, to the point that it had little money left to deal with the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

According to Fox News, a letter was issued by members of the majority on the the House Homeland Security Committee, declaring that the committee “is investigating [DHS’] prioritization of its ability to adequately respond to natural disasters.”

The scandal began when DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), admitted that FEMA does not have enough money to provide stable relief for the entirety of this year’s hurricane season, after Hurricane Helene struck six southeastern states and Hurricane Milton hit Florida.

“We have the immediate needs right now,” Mayorkas tried to claim in a backpedal. “On a continuing resolution, we have funds, but that is not a stable source of supply, if you will. This is a multibillion-dollar, multiyear recovery.”

Conservatives soon began pointing out that, under the Biden-Harris Administration, FEMA has repeatedly funded alleged non-profits and other groups that aim to provide financial assistance to illegal aliens. This year alone, FEMA has funded illegals to the tune of $650 million. By contrast, FEMA’s offer to victims of the recent hurricanes consisted of a mere $750 per person.

“The Committee…is troubled that the Department and FEMA may not have properly apprised Congress of its need for additional disaster relief funds while simultaneously requesting large sums of monies to fund FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program (SSP), a grant program to fund non-federal entities for shelter and services provided to migrants encountered by the Department, including illegal aliens,” the lawmakers’ letter continued.

In total, it is estimated that FEMA has distributed over $1.4 billion through the SSP and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for humanitarian aid.

[the-masters-pieces]

What's we gon' t'do y'all?

Homeland Security chief Alejandro Mayorkas, who first raised the possibility that FEMA might not have sufficient money to get through hurricane season. And the White House’s own Karine Jean-Pierre spilled the news in 2022 that FEMA funds were going to shelter and feed the millions of illegal migrants who had crossed into our country.

Criswell herself confirmed that reorientation of FEMA’s mission during testimony before Congress. She said that FEMA would “continue to focus on supporting jurisdictions that are managing the care of immigrants through our Shelter and Services program.”

Kerry, Joe Biden’s climate czar, recently addressed the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Meetings and said, “If people go to only one source, and the source they go to is sick and, you know, has an agenda, and they’re putting out disinformation, our First Amendment stands as a major block to the ability to be able to just, you know, hammer it out of existence.”

From the article

[yourreddancer]

Heather Cox Richardson

Heather Cox Richardson

October 4, 2024 (Friday)

MAGA Republicans are now lying about the federal response to Hurricane Helene in much the same way they lied about Haitian migrants bringing chaos and disease to Springfield, Ohio. Both disinformation efforts are flat-out lies, and both are designed to demonize immigrants. Immigration was the issue Trump was so eager to run on that he demanded Republican lawmakers reject the strong border bill a bipartisan group of lawmakers had hammered out.

The federal response to Hurricane Helene has drawn bipartisan praise, with Republican governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina thanking Biden by name for what McMaster called a “superb” response.

But on Sunday, September 29, two days after the hurricane hit, the right-wing organization started by anti-immigrant Trump loyalist Stephen Miller posted: “Billions for Ukraine. Billions for illegal aliens. And what for the Americans? Reprogram every single dollar that FEMA has dedicated to support illegal aliens to go towards Americans who are facing unprecedented devastation!”

Yesterday, in Saginaw, Michigan, Trump echoed Miller, claiming that the Biden administration is botching the hurricane response because it has spent all the money appropriated for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on “illegal immigrants.” “They spent it all on illegal migrants.… They stole the FEMA money just like they stole it from a bank, so they could give it to their illegal immigrants that they want to have vote for them,” he said. Today, he claimed that “a billion dollars was stolen from FEMA to use it for illegal migrants, many of whom are criminals, to come into our country.”

Early this morning, X owner Elon Musk posted to his more than 200 million followers: “Yes, they are literally using YOUR tax dollars to import voters and disenfranchise you! It is happening right in front of your eyes. And FEMA used up its budget ferrying illegals into the country instead of saving American lives. Treason.” On Wednesday, Dana Mattioli, Joe Palazzolo, and Khadeeja Safdar of the Wall Street Journal broke the story that Musk has been financing groups with ties to Miller since 2022.

But of course, it is NOT happening in front of anyone’s eyes.

On Wednesday, Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in which FEMA is housed, told reporters that FEMA’s disaster relief fund is adequately funded for current needs. But, he warned, “extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity,” and we are not yet out of hurricane season. If another emergency hits, FEMA’s disaster relief fund will be stretched thin.

Congress also appropriated money for a different fund, the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which is part of Customs and Border Protection but is administered by FEMA. Established under the Trump administration in 2019, SSP gives grants to states and local governments to provide shelter, food, and transportation to undocumented immigrants. After Trump’s accusation, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement: “These claims are completely false. As Secretary Mayorkas said, FEMA has the necessary resources to meet the immediate needs associated with Hurricane Helene and other disasters. The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a completely separate, appropriated grant program that was authorized and funded by Congress and is not associated in any way with FEMA’s disaster-related authorities or funding streams.”

Glenn Kessler of the Washington Post did not leave the story there. “Trump has a habit of assuming other politicians act in the same way as he would,” Kessler wrote. So he looked into why Trump would have accused Biden “of raiding the FEMA disaster fund to handle undocumented migrants. It turns out that’s because he did this.”

In the middle of hurricane season in 2019, Kessler explains, Trump took $155 million from the FEMA disaster fund and redirected it to pay for detention space and temporary hearing locations for immigrants seeking asylum. “No, Biden didn’t take FEMA relief money to use on migrants,” the article title reads, “but Trump did.”

As in Springfield, a bipartisan group of lawmakers are begging MAGAs to stop the disinformation, which is keeping people from accessing the help they need and gumming up relief efforts as workers and local and state governments, as well as FEMA, have to waste time combating lies. Scammers and political extremists are making things worse by spreading AI-generated images and claiming that the federal government is ignoring the people and emergencies the images depict.

MAGA Republicans launched another major disinformation campaign today when the Bureau of Labor Statistics released another blockbuster jobs report. It showed that the country added about 254,000 jobs in September, far higher than the 140,000 jobs economists expected. It also revised the job numbers for July and August upward. The unemployment rate dropped from 4.2% in August to 4.1%, and wages have outpaced inflation.

Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics, wrote that the jobs report “cements my view that the economy is about as good as it gets. The economy is creating lots of jobs across many industries, consistent with robust labor force growth, and thus low and stable unemployment. The economy is at full-employment, no more and no less. Wage growth is strong, and given big productivity gains, it is consistent with low and stable inflation. One couldn’t paint a prettier picture of the job market and broader economy.”

Yet MAGA Republicans deny that the economy is strong. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) openly called the jobs report fake. And when a reporter asked Trump, “Jobs are up, the stock market hit that all-time high. Do you acknowledge that the economy is improving?” he answered: “No it’s not.”

But, apparently stung, this afternoon Trump posted on his social media site what appeared to be an announcement. After an emoji of a flashing red light, a headline read, “New: Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has endorsed Trump for President.” A representative for Dimon instantly denied such an endorsement, saying it is false. According to a spokesperson for JP Morgan, Dimon has neither contributed money nor endorsed Trump, or anyone else, in the 2024 presidential race. But Trump has not taken the post down.

Hugo Lowell of The Guardian notes that Trump has admired Dimon for a long time and likely craves his support. Trump has been unable to attract major endorsements, while celebrities throw their influence behind Harris and Minnesota governor Tim Walz almost daily. Yesterday, musician Bruce Springsteen endorsed Harris. Today, businessman and former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. endorsed her.

The firehose of lies is designed to make it impossible for voters to figure out the truth. The technique is designed so that eventually voters give up trying to engage, conclude everyone is lying, throw up their hands, and stop voting. Holding on to facts combats the effects of the storm of lies.

Finally, tonight, the X account of Trump’s team and the Republican National Committee—now run by the Trump family and loyalists—showed a clip of Biden unexpectedly entering the White House briefing room today, joking with reporters, and saying, “Welcome to the swimming pool.” Referring to “Biden (or whatever’s left of him),” the post suggested his “swimming pool” reference was a sign of mental incapacity.

In fact, the briefing room was indeed originally a swimming pool. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt added the pool to the White House in 1933 after he found swimming helped to keep him in shape after his 1921 bout with polio. Presidents Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy (who had a mural by Bernard Lamotte installed around it), and Lyndon B. Johnson used the pool frequently. Richard Nixon did not. In 1970, Nixon had the pool covered and the space converted into the White House Press Room.

Nixon ordered the change made in such a way that it could be easily undone in case he got pushback for covering up FDR’s pool, but his successor, Gerald Ford, who was an avid swimmer, largely ended the conversation when he added a new outdoor pool to the White House complex in 1975.

Biden’s reference to the press room as a swimming pool was a historical joke rather than a sign of mental incapacity. This lie deserves the same scrutiny as the other whoppers from today, though, because as Glenn Kessler accurately observed, Trump’s common pattern is projection.

[misfitwashere]

October 4, 2024

Heather Cox Richardson

Oct 04, 2024

MAGA Republicans are now lying about the federal response to Hurricane Helene in much the same way they lied about Haitian migrants bringing chaos and disease to Springfield, Ohio. Both disinformation efforts are flat-out lies, and both are designed to demonize immigrants. Immigration was the issue Trump was so eager to run on that he demanded Republican lawmakers reject the strong border bill a bipartisan group of lawmakers had hammered out. 

The federal response to Hurricane Helene has drawn bipartisan praise, with Republican governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina thanking Biden by name for what McMaster called a “superb” response. 

But on Sunday, September 29, two days after the hurricane hit, the right-wing organization started by anti-immigrant Trump loyalist Stephen Miller posted: “Billions for Ukraine. Billions for illegal aliens. And what for the Americans? Reprogram every single dollar that FEMA has dedicated to support illegal aliens to go towards Americans who are facing unprecedented devastation!”

Yesterday, in Saginaw, Michigan, Trump echoed Miller, claiming that the Biden administration is botching the hurricane response because it has spent all the money appropriated for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on “illegal immigrants.” “They spent it all on illegal migrants.… They stole the FEMA money just like they stole it from a bank, so they could give it to their illegal immigrants that they want to have vote for them,” he said. Today, he claimed that “a billion dollars was stolen from FEMA to use it for illegal migrants, many of whom are criminals, to come into our country.” 

Early this morning, X owner Elon Musk posted to his more than 200 million followers: “Yes, they are literally using YOUR tax dollars to import voters and disenfranchise you! It is happening right in front of your eyes. And FEMA used up its budget ferrying illegals into the country instead of saving American lives. Treason.” On Wednesday, Dana Mattioli, Joe Palazzolo, and Khadeeja Safdar of the Wall Street Journal broke the story that Musk has been financing groups with ties to Miller since 2022. 

But of course, it is NOT happening in front of anyone’s eyes.

On Wednesday, Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in which FEMA is housed, told reporters that FEMA’s disaster relief fund is adequately funded for current needs. But, he warned, “extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity,” and we are not yet out of hurricane season. If another emergency hits, FEMA’s disaster relief fund will be stretched thin. 

Congress also appropriated money for a different fund, the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which is part of Customs and Border Protection but is administered by FEMA. Established under the Trump administration in 2019, SSP gives grants to states and local governments to provide shelter, food, and transportation to undocumented immigrants. After Trump’s accusation, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement: “These claims are completely false. As Secretary Mayorkas said, FEMA has the necessary resources to meet the immediate needs associated with Hurricane Helene and other disasters. The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a completely separate, appropriated grant program that was authorized and funded by Congress and is not associated in any way with FEMA’s disaster-related authorities or funding streams.”

Glenn Kessler of the Washington Post did not leave the story there. “Trump has a habit of assuming other politicians act in the same way as he would,” Kessler wrote. So he looked into why Trump would have accused Biden “of raiding the FEMA disaster fund to handle undocumented migrants. It turns out that’s because he did this.”   

In the middle of hurricane season in 2019, Kessler explains, Trump took $155 million from the FEMA disaster fund and redirected it to pay for detention space and temporary hearing locations for immigrants seeking asylum. “No, Biden didn’t take FEMA relief money to use on migrants,” the article title reads, “but Trump did.”

As in Springfield, a bipartisan group of lawmakers are begging MAGAs to stop the disinformation, which is keeping people from accessing the help they need and gumming up relief efforts as workers and local and state governments, as well as FEMA, have to waste time combating lies. Scammers and political extremists are making things worse by spreading AI-generated images and claiming that the federal government is ignoring the people and emergencies the images depict.

MAGA Republicans launched another major disinformation campaign today when the Bureau of Labor Statistics released another blockbuster jobs report. It showed that the country added about 254,000 jobs in September, far higher than the 140,000 jobs economists expected. It also revised the job numbers for July and August upward. The unemployment rate dropped from 4.2% in August to 4.1%, and wages have outpaced inflation. 

Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics, wrote that the jobs report “cements my view that the economy is about as good as it gets. The economy is creating lots of jobs across many industries, consistent with robust labor force growth, and thus low and stable unemployment. The economy is at full-employment, no more and no less. Wage growth is strong, and given big productivity gains, it is consistent with low and stable inflation. One couldn’t paint a prettier picture of the job market and broader economy.”

Yet MAGA Republicans deny that the economy is strong. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) openly called the jobs report fake. And when a reporter asked Trump, “Jobs are up, the stock market hit that all-time high. Do you acknowledge that the economy is improving?” he answered: “No it’s not.”

But, apparently stung, this afternoon Trump posted on his social media site what appeared to be an announcement. After an emoji of a flashing red light, a headline read, “New: Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has endorsed Trump for President.” A representative for Dimon instantly denied such an endorsement, saying it is false. According to a spokesperson for JP Morgan, Dimon has neither contributed money nor endorsed Trump, or anyone else, in the 2024 presidential race. But Trump has not taken the post down. 

Hugo Lowell of The Guardian notes that Trump has admired Dimon for a long time and likely craves his support. Trump has been unable to attract major endorsements, while celebrities throw their influence behind Harris and Minnesota governor Tim Walz almost daily. Yesterday, musician Bruce Springsteen endorsed Harris. Today, businessman and former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. endorsed her.

The firehose of lies is designed to make it impossible for voters to figure out the truth. The technique is designed so that eventually voters give up trying to engage, conclude everyone is lying, throw up their hands, and stop voting. Holding on to facts combats the effects of the storm of lies.  

Finally, tonight, the X account of Trump’s team and the Republican National Committee—now run by the Trump family and loyalists—showed a clip of Biden unexpectedly entering the White House briefing room today, joking with reporters, and saying, “Welcome to the swimming pool.” Referring to “Biden (or whatever’s left of him),” the post suggested his “swimming pool” reference was a sign of mental incapacity.

In fact, the briefing room was indeed originally a swimming pool. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt added the pool to the White House in 1933 after he found swimming helped to keep him in shape after his 1921 bout with polio. Presidents Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy (who had a mural by Bernard Lamotte installed around it), and Lyndon B. Johnson used the pool frequently. Richard Nixon did not. In 1970, Nixon had the pool covered and the space converted into the White House Press Room.

Nixon ordered the change made in such a way that it could be easily undone in case he got pushback for covering up FDR’s pool, but his successor, Gerald Ford, who was an avid swimmer, largely ended the conversation when he added a new outdoor pool to the White House complex in 1975.

Biden’s reference to the press room as a swimming pool was a historical joke rather than a sign of mental incapacity. This lie deserves the same scrutiny as the other whoppers from today, though, because as Glenn Kessler accurately observed, Trump’s common pattern is projection.

—