New York City denied request FEMA return $80M in migrant funds
A federal judge has blocked New York City’s request for President Donald Trump’s administration to return $80 million in FEMA funds allocated for migrant shelters and services. Judge Jennifer Rearden from the Manhattan bench denied the city’s request for a temporary restraining order to claw back the funds, stating that the city did not prove it would suffer irreparable harm without the money.
“We’re disappointed the court did not grant the emergency relief we were seeking while the case continued, and we are evaluating next steps,” a New York City Law Department spokesperson told Fox News.
The City of New York filed a lawsuit against Trump, FEMA, the Treasury Department, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Feb. 21, arguing that the $80 million in funds had already been approved and paid out by FEMA. The lawsuit claimed that the funds were revoked on Feb. 11 after concerns were raised about the use of the funds for luxury hotels housing illegal migrants.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the funds were rescinded due to concerns that the Roosevelt Hotel was being used as a base of operations for criminal activities. The decision to claw back the funds was met with criticism from Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, who accused the Trump administration of illegally seizing the funds.
Despite the ruling, Adams and other sanctuary city mayors testified about their response to the migrant crisis on Capitol Hill. Adams reiterated his commitment to protecting law-abiding residents, regardless of immigration status, while also complying with federal immigration laws.
As New York City continues to grapple with an influx of migrants, Adams has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s handling of the crisis. He has sought to strike a balance between protecting New Yorkers and working with federal authorities to address the issue.
In his efforts to address the migrant crisis, Adams has met with Trump and border czar Tom Homan to discuss potential solutions. Homan has pledged to hold Adams accountable for his commitments and ensure that the city complies with federal immigration laws.
The ruling on the FEMA funds comes at a critical time for New York City, as it navigates the challenges of accommodating a large number of migrants. The city will need to reassess its approach to handling the crisis and work towards finding sustainable solutions to address the needs of both residents and migrants.
