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ICYMI: Rubio on Illegal Migrants Tied to ISIS

According to reports, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified more than 400 illegal migrants who came across U.S. borders as part of an ISIS-affiliated human smuggling network.  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has been warning about this...

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Rubio, Scott Request TSA Extension from FEMA for Floridians Affected By Hurricane Michael

Mar 27, 2019 | Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to extend, for 90 days, the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for displaced Floridians in Bay, Gulf, and Jackson counties as a result of Hurricane Michael.  Absent an extension, the TSA program is set to expire on April 9, 2019. 
 
The full text of the letter is below.
 
Dear Acting Administrator Gaynor:
 
We write in support of the State of Florida’s request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to extend the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for an additional 90 days for all Florida counties designated for direct housing in response to Hurricane Michael. TSA is currently set to expire on April 9, 2019. An extension of 90 days will be crucial for the state to continue to execute a long-term housing recovery strategy, as hundreds of victims remain in need of assistance under the TSA program due to the magnitude of this storm.
 
Approximately five months ago, Hurricane Michael struck Florida’s Panhandle, severely damaging homes and displaced disaster victims with uninhabitable living conditions with little to no available housing options. According to the state, 1,110 individuals representing 368 households are still utilizing the TSA program. The state’s request for an extension will assist survivors who are still seeking to find long-term housing options in their communities, and allow the state to continue to implement a long-term reconstruction plan for affected areas.
 
We thank the agency for its prompt actions in previously approving TSA last October for Floridians suffering from the impacts of Hurricane Michael. As housing options are still limited in Florida’s panhandle, it is critical that the federal government continue to support efforts by the state to provide survivors with needed options.
 
Thank you for your attention to this request.
 
We look forward to your response.  
 
Sincerely,
 
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