The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it has clawed back $59 million in FEMA funds that were earmarked for hotels housing migrants in New York City.
This move comes just a day after the department fired several employees involved in making the payment.
What Happened?
According to a DHS spokesperson, the funds were unilaterally given to NYC migrant hotels by “FEMA deep state activists”.
The spokesperson emphasized that “there will not be a single penny spent that goes against the interest and safety of the American people”.
The Backstory
The controversy began when the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) uncovered $59 million in payments for luxury hotels for migrants who had flooded into the city during the recent crisis at the southern border.
The payments were made in the last week, according to Elon Musk.
Firings and Fallout
DHS announced that it had fired four employees, including FEMA’s CFO, two analysts, and a grant specialist, for “circumventing leadership” and making the payments unilaterally.
The use of FEMA to make payments related to immigration has been a topic of controversy in recent months.
NYC’s Response
A New York City Hall spokesperson confirmed that the city had received funds allocated by the Biden administration for housing and supporting illegal immigrants.
The city claims that the funds were not part of a disaster relief grant, but were instead used to house thousands of migrants arriving in the city every week.
The Debate Continues
The controversy has sparked a heated debate between city officials and the federal government.
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander has called on the Mayor to pursue legal action to ensure the funds are returned, while Mayor Eric Adams has announced that his office is exploring litigation options.
What’s Next?
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the migrant hotel funding controversy is far from over.
With tensions running high between city officials and the federal government, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved.