FEMA announces funds for states to detain undocumented immigrants

The Federal Emergency Administration (FEMA) has announced more than $600 million (£446 million) in funding to state and local entities to detain undocumented immigrants while they await transfers to federal facilities.

The new grant comes as the Trump administration seeks to conduct mass deportations and redefine the mission and structure of disaster relief agencies.

The FEMA said the program will reduce overcrowding of short-term facilities and increase detention capacity for local and state facilities.

The agency has previously managed an asylum and service program that helps states and cities support non-citizen immigrants released by their parent company, the Department of Homeland Security.

Connecticut’s director of emergency management, William Turner, told the BBC that the program terminated the program and that the new grant for detention appeared to be a new iteration of those funds.

Applicants must apply for a new grant by August 8.

FEMA often publishes funding opportunities for state, city and local communities to pay for emergency training, preparation and equipment.

But the new grant comes as the Trump administration turns to aid in implementing a mass deportation policy.

Some states led by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, like Florida, have helped the White House achieve their goals. Florida now runs a detention center called “Crocodile” According to state officials, it has the capacity of up to 2,000 people.

To this end, the state converted an abandoned airport in Florida’s Everglades. Critics challenged so-called inhumane conditions, where their location would cause environmental damage.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the “crocodile wolf” would cost about $450 million, and that funds would come from FEMA’s previous shelters and service programs.

During this month’s visitPresident Donald Trump said the detention center was “surrounded by miles of treacherous military personnel, and the only way out was actually deportation.”

DeSantis said in a press conference on Friday that the Trump administration called on states to assist in mass deportation and used the Florida facility as a role model.

“I will reiterate the call, and I think it will make a difference,” DeSantis said.

He said flights deported from the country had begun leaving the detention center, while “hundreds of detainees” at the Everglades have been processed for deportation.

The Trump administration has shifted during the Trump administration as President and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem proposed the idea of closing the agency and shifting its responsibilities to various states.

Senior emergency management officials left the agency along with hundreds of employees, who left the agency amid the Trump administration’s efforts to significantly reduce the federal workforce.