Fact Check: Kristi Noem plans to fund immigrant detention center with FEMA budget.

Published June 24, 2025

•by TruthOrFake AI

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VERDICT

True

# Fact Check: Kristi Noem Plans to Fund Immigrant Detention Center with FEMA Budget ## What We Know Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced...

Fact Check: Kristi Noem Plans to Fund Immigrant Detention Center with FEMA Budget

What We Know

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the federal government will provide funding for the establishment of immigration detention centers in Florida, specifically a facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" located in the Everglades. According to Noem, this initiative will be funded "in large part" by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its shelter and services program, which is designed to assist groups and cities that are receiving migrants and asylum-seekers released from federal custody along the U.S.-Mexico border (CBS News). This program was created by Congress and is primarily intended for disaster relief, but it has been repurposed in this context to support immigration enforcement efforts (New Republic).

Analysis

The claim that Kristi Noem plans to fund the immigrant detention center using FEMA's budget is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Noem's statement explicitly mentions the use of FEMA funds for the construction of these facilities, indicating a clear intention to allocate resources from FEMA's budget to support immigration detention efforts (CBS News, Yahoo News).

The reliability of the sources reporting on this claim is generally high. CBS News is a well-established news organization known for its journalistic standards, while the New Republic and Yahoo News also provide reputable coverage of political issues. However, it is important to note that the framing of the situation can vary between sources. For instance, while CBS News presents the information in a straightforward manner, the New Republic characterizes the plan as "twisted," which may reflect a more critical editorial stance (New Republic). This difference in tone suggests that while the facts are consistent, the interpretation may vary based on the publication's perspective.

Moreover, the financial implications of this plan are significant, with estimates suggesting that the operation of the proposed facility could cost around $450 million annually (Yahoo News). This raises questions about the appropriateness of using FEMA funds, which are traditionally allocated for disaster relief, for immigration enforcement purposes.

Conclusion

The claim that Kristi Noem plans to fund the immigrant detention center with FEMA's budget is True. The evidence clearly indicates that the funding for the proposed facilities will come from FEMA's shelter and services program, as stated by Noem herself. The sources are credible and provide consistent information regarding the funding mechanism and the intended use of the facilities.

Sources

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Fact Check: Kristi Noem plans to fund immigrant detention center with FEMA budget.

Fact Check: Kristi Noem Plans to Fund Immigrant Detention Center with FEMA Budget

What We Know

Analysis

Conclusion

Sources

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