Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, has introduced new legislation aimed at halting what she describes as the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) practice of funding luxurious accommodations for illegal immigrants. Mace characterized the Biden administration’s policies as "insanity" and declared that this trend must come to an end.
The proposed bill, named the Alien Removal Not Resort Stays Act, seeks to terminate FEMA’s program that provides shelter for illegal aliens, reallocating those funds instead to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in its detention and deportation efforts. Mace’s announcement follows her recent ride-along with ICE agents in Goose Creek, South Carolina, where they apprehended individuals she labeled as "dangerous" illegal aliens.
Mace’s concerns echo broader frustrations regarding the treatment of migrants in the United States. In May 2023, New York City Mayor Eric Adams revealed that a significant number of hotel rooms in the city—reportedly half—were occupied by migrants, including many in upscale hotels. This situation has sparked debate over the use of taxpayer dollars to support migrant housing.
Adding to the controversy, a recent investigation by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) uncovered a $59 million payment made by FEMA to house illegal immigrants in luxury hotels in New York City. DOGE leader Elon Musk publicized this finding, intensifying scrutiny on the federal agency’s spending practices. In response to the backlash, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that she had successfully "clawed back" the full amount paid by FEMA for these accommodations.
Mace has been vocal about her opposition to the use of federal funds for what she sees as inappropriate benefits for illegal immigrants. She criticized the current administration for allowing a "free-for-all" for illegal aliens, asserting that taxpayer money should not be used to provide them with hotel stays. "If you break our laws, you shouldn’t get a taxpayer-funded stay at a resort—you should be detained and deported," Mace emphasized.
The introduction of Mace’s bill comes amid conflicting statements from the Biden administration regarding FEMA’s funding for migrant support. Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously claimed that FEMA was not using funds to aid illegal immigrants, a statement she later contradicted when discussing federal support for cities dealing with an influx of migrants.
As the debate over immigration policy continues, Mace’s bill represents a significant push from some lawmakers to reevaluate the federal government’s role in providing assistance to migrants and to refocus efforts on enforcement and deportation.