Sinema Expresses Anger Towards Former Boss Schumer Over New York Receiving Nearly Twice the Immigration Funding

Kyrsten Sinema Criticizes Chuck Schumer over FEMA Funding

Arizona senator Kyrsten Sinema, who recently switched from the Democratic Party to become an independent, has criticized Democratic Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer. Sinema expressed her dissatisfaction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Shelter Services Program, which intends to allocate double the funding to New York compared to Arizona. Sinema, being from a border state, believes that Arizona should receive a more equitable share of the funding.

Sinema Explains Allocation of Funds to New York

In a conversation with first responders in Yuma, Senator Kyrsten Sinema was asked about why funds were being directed to New York instead of border cities like Yuma. Sinema responded by explaining that the money was going to New York because the Speaker of the House and the leader of the United States Senate are both from New York. She acknowledged that this was the reason behind the allocation of funds.

The Shelter and Services Program

The Shelter and Services Program, administered by FEMA, offers financial assistance to non-federal organizations that provide shelter and other necessary services to noncitizen migrants who have been encountered by the Department of Homeland Security and released from custody while their immigration proceedings are pending. The program aims to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the safe and humane release of noncitizen migrants from short-term holding facilities.

Disparity in Funding: Arizona vs. New York

According to The Daily Mail, Arizona will receive approximately $69.3 million and New York will receive approximately $134.6 million in funding. The money was included in the omnibus budget in December of last year and was intended for the decompression of the border. However, the fact that a significant amount of the funding went to New York City is seen as wrong by some, as they are not a border state and do not face the same pressures as Arizona.

Speaker Challenges Assumptions about Border Towns

The speaker, who is not explicitly mentioned, is expressing frustration with the administration for sending money to a part of the country that is not experiencing the same challenges as Yuma, Summerton, or San Luis. She argues that these towns are overwhelmed with people seeking shelter and facing issues like heat exhaustion and lack of basic necessities. The speaker challenges others to experience a day in the life of these towns before making assumptions about the situation.