Contact Congress about H.R. 1748: FEMA for America First Act of 2025

This bill would make some non-citizens ineligible for FEMA help paid directly to people after disasters. It would exclude some asylum grantees, refugees, and parolees unless they meet the bill’s narrower status rules.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

FEMA for America First Act of 2025 is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Latest action on H.R. 1748: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects non-citizens who live in places hit by disasters and apply for FEMA help paid directly to individuals. It could matter most for asylum grantees, refugees, and parolees who are lawfully present but do not meet the bill’s narrower rules. FEMA and other agencies may also need to check immigration status more closely when handling individual aid applications.

Why this matters: This bill matters because disasters can leave people needing fast help for housing, repairs, and basic recovery. It would make immigration status a larger gatekeeping rule for FEMA aid paid directly to individuals. Some lawfully present non-citizens could lose access if they do not meet the bill’s narrower test. The bill does not say how many people would be affected.

Key provisions in H.R. 1748

• The bill changes Title IV of the Stafford Act. That part of the law covers federal disaster relief.
• The bill adds a new rule called “Eligibility of Aliens for Assistance.” In immigration law, “alien” means a person who is not a U.S. citizen.
• Non-citizens would need to be “qualified aliens” to get Stafford Act aid paid directly to individuals. A “qualified alien” is a person with certain lawful immigration statuses.
• The bill uses the “qualified alien” definition from a 1996 federal welfare law. That law is called the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act.
• The bill narrows who counts as a “qualified alien” for this FEMA aid. It excludes asylum grantees and refugees who have not applied for lawful permanent residence, and it excludes people paroled into the United States under immigration parole law.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 1748

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 1748

What is H.R. 1748?

This bill would make some non-citizens ineligible for FEMA help paid directly to people after disasters. It would exclude some asylum grantees, refugees, and parolees unless they meet the bill’s narrower status rules.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 1748?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 1748?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 1748 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.