U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist says the decision to take millions away from disaster relief is “wrong and dangerous.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Charllie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, on Wednesday (Aug. 28) issued a statement condemning President Donald Trump’s decision to take $155 million from money allocated for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund and divert it to immigrant detention and deportation.

The FEMA money is part of the $271 million Trump wants to use for immigration detention and deportation. The other $116 million will come from elsewhere in the Department of Homeland Security budget.

“President Trump’s decision to divert disaster relief funds is wrong and dangerous. It’s the height of hurricane season, with a storm bearing down on Florida and Puerto Rico. American lives are at risk,” Crist said. “I strongly urge the President to reverse course on this decision immediately.”

In June, Congress passed a $4.5 billion emergency supplemental funding bill to address the humanitarian crisis and support stronger border security.

Crist represents Florida’s 13th Congressional District, which includes south and mid-Pinellas County.

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