November 05, 2025
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States sue DHS over FEMA grant restrictions

Eleven states and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear sued DHS and FEMA in federal court in Eugene, Oregon, challenging new conditions on core emergency-preparedness grants, including cutting the spend period from three years to one and requiring states to certify populations excluding people removed under immigration law. The suit targets the $320M Emergency Management Performance Grant and $1B Homeland Security Grant Program after FEMA issued an Oct. 1 funding hold pending states’ methodology submissions; DHS says the changes ensure effective use aligned with current threats.

Legal Local Government

📌 Key Facts

  • Plaintiffs: 11 states plus Kentucky’s governor; filed in U.S. District Court in Eugene, Oregon
  • Programs affected: EMPG ($320M) and HSGP ($1B)
  • New conditions: one-year spend deadline (previously three) and population certification excluding people removed under immigration law
  • FEMA issued a funding hold Oct. 1; awards were noticed just before Sept. 30
  • States argue the requirements are arbitrary/capricious and conflict with statutory reliance on Census data

📰 Sources (1)