'Clawed back': DHS chief Noem secures eye-popping sum sent to NYC for migrant hotels

"Secretary Noem has clawed back the full payment that FEMA deep state activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels," a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital. 

"There will not be a single penny spent that goes against the interest and safety of the American people," they said.

The announcement came after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said it had uncovered $59 million in payments for luxury hotels for migrants who had flooded into the sanctuary city during the recent crisis at the southern border. Elon Musk said the payments had been sent in the last week.

A New York City Hall spokesperson confirmed to Fox News on Tuesday that the city had received funds "through the past week" that were allocated by the Biden administration for the purpose of housing and supporting illegal immigrants. 

Of the $59.3 million, $19 million was for direct hotel costs, while the balance funded other services such as food and security. According to NY City Hall, the funds were not part of a disaster relief grant. 

A spokesperson said that it never paid luxury hotel rates, that the city applied for funding in April and FEMA allocated the funding last year.

On Wednesday, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander responded to the revocation of funds by saying that NYC "cannot take this lying down."

Mayor Eric Adams later said on X that his office "learned about the federal government clawing back more than $80 million in FEMA grants applied for and awarded under the last administration, but not disbursed until last week."

"While we conduct an internal investigation into how this occurred, our office has already engaged with the White House about recouping these funds and we've requested an emergency meeting with FEMA to try and resolve the matter as quickly as possible. The Corporation Counsel is already exploring various litigation options," he said.